Chairman. the proposition here seems to be that the inquiry referred to must be made in regard to a legal charge against an alien. The gentleman from Alabama has proceeded in his discussion upon the theory that a legal charge Involving moral turpitude against a fugitive from political persecution bears the same dignity and force as an indictment against a criminal charged with an offense in America. In other words. that a legal charge against a religious or political refugee is the result of a formal indictment legally submitted to constituted authority to establish a criminal record against an alien. Such is not and has not been the case in countries from which political refugees come to our shores. In such countries as Russia. where there is a secret system of spies. or police espionage. where the people representing this system of governmental espionage have the authority upon their own initiative to make these charges. with all the formality and without the force of a formal indictment. as it is known and contemplated by the laws of our country. It is a very significant fact that in every case where men who are fleeing from persecution in these countries where oppression is so bitterly imposed upon them for political offenses that the crime charged involves moral turpitude. But this charge of alleged moral turpitude preferred against alien. refugees. In almost every case subjected to the test in our courts. has been proven to be a inere pretexta pretext invented by the police system of thp foreign government to guarantee and accelerate the extradition of the political refugee. And the amendment of the gentleman from Alabama. if adopted. will have but one logical effect. and that is the destruction of these barriers. erected by our customs and our laws for the protection of the persecuted patriot fleeing to our shores from the terrors of persecution in his native land. I am opposed to this amendment. not for sentimental reasons alone. but because I believe our country should ever remain a haven and a refuge for those who believe in and have the courage to make sacrifices for those blessings of political freedom which have found their sublimest exemplification in our system of democracy.
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refugee refugees