How were Jewish refugees treated in World War II?

Answer 1

That depended on which country they were in.

In Britain, for example, most of the Jewish refugees were technically German citizens. All Germans in Britain were sorted into categories. In 1939 those able-bodied adult male Germans who could not produce evidence that they were genuine refugees were interned, also any German suspected of being a Nazi or a threat.

Following the evacuation from Dunkirk some refugees were evacuated to Britain after the military had been brought home. Some sections of the media created a huge panic about 'fifth columnists', 'saboteurs' and so on. The cry went up, 'Intern the lot!' The government gave in, and many German refugees whose refugee status had been recognized only a few months before were interned. However, tribunals were set up to hear appeals from internees who could produce evidence to support their refugee status. Some were released within about 6-10 weeks, but others stayed in internment camps for much longer. A few were shipped to Canada and even Australia ...

In order to provide a balanced picture it should be added that known British Nazis including the leadership of the British Union of Fascists were also interned.

Incidentally, a former refugee who was interned for a short time, told me that for some Jews in the same camp as him it was their second spell of internment: they had been interned as Germans or Austrians in World War 1 and had never got round to acquiring British citizenship!

Perhaps someone who knows what happened in the US and other Allied countries can add something about what happened there.