Speech #620269134

That the following classes of persons shall be exempt from the operation of this act. to wit: (a) All aliens who shall prove to the satisfaction of the protler immlligration officer or to 1h Secretary of Commerce and Labor that tihey are seeking admission to Ihe United states solely for lhe plurlposo of esclaping from religious persecution. (Ih) all aliens In transit through the United States. (c) nlt aliens who have been lawfully admitted to the United States and who later shall go in transit from one part of the United States to another through foreign contiguous territory. Sc. 4. That an alien refused admission to the United States under tile provisions of this act shall be sent back to the country wheace he came in the manner provided by section 19 of "An act to regulate the immigration of aliens into the United States." approved February 20. 1907. It will be seen that the main purpose of the bill is to exclude from the United States alien immigrants over 16 years of age who are unable to read their own language or dialect. In order that there might be no doubt about the Hebrew and Yiddish being considered as either a language or dialect. they are expressly embraced in the bill. From the requirement of the illiteracy test in the bill. there are several exceptions which the committee thought wise to make. We believe that those who are fleeing from religious persecution should find a city of refuge on our shores. Hence the provision excepting immigrants of that class from the test where they are otherwise admissible. Out of regard for marital and other close family ties and the duties and obligations arising therefrom. as well ats high moral considerations. the committee thought proper to make the other exceptions embraced in the bill. A bill in its main features similar to this was considered by the House on February 20. 1907.