These women are denied the opportuity of learning to read. and therefore this clause would absolutely prevent their entry into the United States. Then let me direct your attention to the proviso which stipulates that all persons shall be excluded who "have committed a felony". notice that this does not provide for the exclusion of those who have been convicted of a felony. but those who have committed a felony. This will give the Russian spies an opportunity to cause the deportation of anyone whom they desire to have excluded. for all that is. necessary is that they accuse the immigrant of having committed a felony. It also confers arbitrary power on immigrant inspectors to try. aliens and punish them by deportation under an act which confers authority on the immigrant inspector to subpoena witnesses. but gives no such authority to the alien. No other law ever proposed was ever so unjust to one party to a trial. I have mentioned only a few of the more drastic provisions which have been Inserted in this bill. but there are numerous others which impose unjust and unreasonable restrictions upon those seeking admission to the United States. .I feel sure that those of you who voted for the passage of the Burnett bill were convinced that the literacy test which that measure provided was the utmost restriction that should be demanded. When the Dillingham bill was originally reported to the House it was very evident that the provisions contained therein were deemed most obnoxious. and it was voted that they be stricken out. yet you now have presented to you a much harsher and more drastic measure. the passage of which is advocated by a few professional patriots and narrowminded restrictionists. Will you yield to their demands?
Keywords matched
deportation immigrant literacy test