Speech #630137209

Mr. Chairman. to understand the reasons for adopting this amendment I will state briefly the condition of affairs in the State of New York. The State of New York maintains a bureau of deportation. which might better be called a bureau of repatriation. because only the Federal Government can deport aliens. What this bureau does is to return to their homes at the expense of the State or at the expense of friends such persons who will be properly cared for at home and who want to go there. In 1912 the United States Immigration Service deported 419 aliens who had been admitted to the United States who had become public charges in State hospitals or homes. In the same year the State repatriated 474 aliens at the expense of the State and 278 at the expense of friends. which makes a total of 752 rqpatriated by the State as against 474 deported by the United States Government. Of those 752 repatriated 439 were public charges in the State hospitals. so this bureau saved the State of New York. figuring the usual cost of $2.882 per patient hospital life. the great sum of $1.265.198 in the year 1912. Now. when this bureau buys tickets for an alien and an attendant. if necessary. the aliens family and friends having satisfied the bureau that they not only want the alien home but are in a position to care for him or her. and when the bureau tries to place the alien on board a ship. it is continually conronted with a refusal on the part of certain steamship companies to allow the aliens on board.