He will have no power to go into one of our courts and assert that his offense was purely a political one. and that instead of being a crime it was an act of the highest patriotism. He will be entitled to be represented by no counsel. for. at least in some parts of this bill. it is provided that the hearing before the commissioners shall be a secret hearing. The merits of his case will not be passed upon by a judge or by a jury. but he will be taken before an immigration agent. We deny to that immigration agent any discretion whatever in the premises. Being an administrative officer. all he can do is to follow the letter of the law. The letter of the law as we write it is that if a legal charge has been filed involving a felony the immigrant must be returned to the country from which he came. That may result in sending back to their death or to long terms of Imprisonment thousands of the best people of Europe. As the phrase saood in the House bill. and as I understand it stands in the present law. the man must have been convicted. or he must admit his guilt.
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immigration immigrant