Speech #590120264

I think we may take it as a matter of fact that a great many of these people do succeed in getting into this country. No barrier can be created that can exclude improper persons from coming over here and through the gates and into the Republic. Then we have the provision in the twentieth section. which is well drawn. that any alien who shall enter the United States in violation of lawthat is to say. these same anarchists who came in here because they were anarchistsand I use the word "anarchist" in its generic sense as covering all those who may come in improperlyand such as become public charges. etc.. may be deported under certain circumstances and sent out of the country. But now comes this amendment. and it seems to me that it applies directly to the very class of people who are ordered to be deported under the two provisions of section 2 and section 20: Provided. That an Immigrant who proves that he is seeking admission to this country solely to avoid persecution or punishment on religious or political grounds. I submit that an anarchist. that a man who strikes a blow at all governments. Js chargeable with being a political enemy of the country from which he has fled. and clearly by the literal terms of this amendment he is covered and saved from deportation. But I have another ground that staggers me. I would like to be extremely liberal upon both of these points. but what is religious persecution. or what are religious grounds? Are we to constitute our Board of Immigration at the ports of our country a court to try an immigrants religious opinion? If so. and this application is made for the purpose of staying here and drawn up on the proposition that the immigrant is protesting against deportation because of persecution upon religious grounds. then. to use a slang phrase. we are " up against" the very proposition that we have steered clear of in all our history as a nation. What is religion? We are driven right to that.