Help From The Inside
Title
Description
Syrian immigrants were often treated differentially (and preferentially) to other ‘Asian races’ in Australia. One of the key expressions of this preference is the fact that after 1907 Syrians were treated as a ‘special case’ and were permitted to bring dependent relatives over to Australia[1]. This special privilege was extended for many reasons, but primarily the relatively balanced gender ratios of the Syrian immigrants, their general identification as Christian, and the paleness of their skin (and therefore their compatibility with the ‘host’ population). Many Syrian immigrants took advantage of this special privilege and used it to bring both family and friends alike into the country.
This collection includes examples of Syrian applications for the admission of friends and relatives as well as an application for the re-entry of a Syrian man’s wife and son after a 7 year absence from the Commonwealth. These documents provide a valuable insight into the workings of the Australian Department of External Affairs as well as the kind of information and evidence Syrian immigrants were required to provide in order to bring friends and family member into the Commonwealth. Typically, the employment, assets, and a character certificates of the individual wishing to bring friends and/or family into Australia were required as well as the occupation and relationship of each person wishing to enter to the person already residing in Australia. Age, birthplace and present address were also required of all parties involved.