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Displaced Persons Act.

1948

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The Displaced Persons Act, which is the first specific “refugee” act, is passed in Congress. It aims to address the nearly 7 million displaced persons in Europe as a result of World War II. This number includes many Jewish communities, as well as non-Jewish communities, from parts of Europe annexed by the Soviet Union, such as the Baltics and Ukraine.

The act allows refugees to enter the U.S. within the constraints of the existing quota system. It requires that admitted displaced persons find a place to live in the U.S. and a job that does not replace a worker already in the country. Approximately 205,000 people will be admitted to the United States through this act.