Speech #630154272

Not just at present. I will in a moment. Now. in regard to the southern border of the State of California. it appears that last year alone there were 3.461 Chinese who Unlawfully entered tile United States who were deported . and if the truth were known there were practically five who unlawfully entered and -who were not arrested and deported for every one who was legally deported. For the last six months there have already been 2.359 deported who unlawfully entered the United States from Lower California. and this work will have to cease between now and the end of the fiscal year if this Congress does not provide the necessary means for the department to carry out its work. On account of the unpleasantness in Mexico these men are landed by the steamship companies in Mexico and iii Lower California. and it is easy to see how they can cross the border. and is an additional inducement the piee per head for smuggling a Chinanman across the border is from $500 to $1.000. It well becomes Congress to provide the necessary sinews of watr. so that this department can carry out the mandatory provisions of the law which require the Secretary of Labor and the Conmaissioner of Immigration to enforce this law and to arrest and return those who unlawfully arrive in this country. There are a great many more who unlawfully enter and are smuggled into the country along the seaboard. The departmcnt also states that from the Canadian border there are many Hindus who come across. and that if it sufficient fund Is not provided there will be no means to arrest them and enforce the law. and deport those who have unlawfully entered. The official figures show that more than $2.000.000 was collected from iammigrants last year over and above the expenses of this department. and now the Department of Labor. for the purpose of properly equipping itself. of properly enforcing the law. asks Congress to return the small pittance of $95.000 in order that the department may be properly maintained. In view of the fact that the Immigration Department has collected over $2.000.000 in excess of the money expended for all its operations. I ilsist that this appropriation is reasonable. There is no more important duty to be performed by the Secretary of Labor and Commissioner General of Immigration than enforcing the immigration lay.-. excluding the Asiatics. as far as the law now- goes. and all others. nd dt.porting those who have entered the United States in violation of the law. This money will be most properly used and for a good cause. We should keep from this country those who are prohibited from entering this country. If they are smuggled in or otherwise enter they should be deported. Better conlitions should be 11rovided by those who come to this country. They should have every humane care and treatment that it is possible to give them.