Why did many countries refuse to allow Jews to immigrate?

Answer 1

The short answer is, they sharply limited the numbers but didn't flatly refuse altogether. Thousands of German Jews went to the US, Great Britain and other countries, eg South Africa, after the Nazis came to power in 1933.

Answer 2

Many, many (mostly affluent) Jewish peoples left European countries, (including Germany, of course) as early as the 1930's because of many reasons. The USA was but one of many countries who's Immigration policies were/are infamous. Another reason may have included the monetary opportunities presented in our resurging economy during recovery of 'the Depression'...Regardless of the inhumane, unforgiveable atrocities and the displacement of this country's 'true 1st Americans', which (other than what others might argue) even surpasses our history's atrocious connection to slavery.

Answer 2

Some countries did accept some Jewish refugees, for example, the US, Britain and Australia. France, Belgium and the Netherlands also accepted some refugees, but these countries were invaded by Germany ...

Key reasons included:

1. Very restrictive immigration laws in many countries (dating mainly from the early 1920s).
2. There was no right to asylum.
3. High unemployment. (It was the 1930s).
4. Failure to grasp the seriousness of the situation.
5. Antisemitism.

Answer 3

Between 1880 ad 1930, a huge wave of Jewish refugees fled Russia. Deliberate persecution of the Jews began under the Tzars and continued under the Communists. Many countries erected high barriers to Jewish immigration in response to this wave of refugees, and those barriers stood in the way of refugees fleeing Germany and German occupied lands.