Speech #590059668

We find that this law works well. Our ballot is of sfich a character that it requires a knowledge of reading to Intelligently vote it. The matter of limiting the courts that may naturalize I am not going to discuss. for I know it will be pointed out. and effectively so. that this will work a great deal of harm. To the provision of the increase in the naturalization fee I desire to enter a most emphatic protest. This bill provides a fee of $11. Just think of it! Eleven dollars represents a great sum to the poor alien whose first obligation is to his family and. as strong as may be his ambition to join our citizenship. he willbe forced t5 surrender the hope when confronted with the payment of what is practically a prohibitive fee. as is this one. In Massachusetts it costs $3 to be naturalized. Do you think it likely that a raise to $11 will prove an incentive to become a citizen? Undoubtedly not. We want all the aliens in our country we can get to become naturalized. He reckons soundly who does so from the premises that citizenship awakens in the former alien a keener interest. deeper love. and stronger pride in the institutions of our country. The establishment of a fee of the size fixed in the bill will minimize naturalization. It is unwise to argue that because the payment is made in three installments the burden will not fall heavily. The prospective applicant learns that it will cost $11 and will abandon the idea of becoming a citizen. It is a mistake. a grave mistake. which I trust the House will remedy. It is like inviting a man to your home and when he is seen coming bolting the door and turning a deaf ear to his knock for admission. Believing that this unwarrantable increase In the naturalization fee will deter no end of aliens who would make desirable citizens from becoming so. I intend to offer amendments which will place the aggregate fee at $3. By rendering citizenship practically impossible of attainment by the alien who has the desire you will recruit the ranks of that dangerous element in society which is made up of those who have no voice in our Government. interest in her institutions. or concern In her welfare.