Speech #640198609

The Chair lays before the Senate a petition praying for the striking out the Hindus clause in the immigration bill. The petition is signed by a large number of petitioners. It will be printed in the RECORD with the name of the first signer and referred to the Committee on Immigration: The petition is as follows: Po the Senators and Representatives of the Sixtyfourth Congress of the United States: The undersigned petitioners. citizens of the United States. respectfully show: First. That there is now pending before the United States Senate an act passed by the House of Representatives. known as H. R. 10384. and entitled "An act to regulate the immigration of aliens to and the residence of aliens in the United States." Second. That said proposed act unduly discriminates against an entire race of a great and worthy people. of the same Aryan stock to which the great majority of our fellow citizens belong and the inheritors of a civilization which has conferred benefits upon the whole human racethe Hindus. Third. That the retention In said proposed act of the provisions which would exclude any of the Hindus who have formerly come to this country to ressde.. or who are lkely to do so in the near future. merely because they are Hindus. would be a lasting stain and disgrace to the honor and humanity of our country. which has hitherto stood for equal opportunity for all and an open door for the oppressed. of all nations. Fourth. That at the present time owing to the wise and humane laws of this country respecting immigration which have hitherto prevailed. a considerable number of Hindus of the student. scholar. and professional classes have availed themselves of the educational and other opportunities which our country offers them and are now residents here. that said proposed act places upon these classes humiliating and quite unnecessary hardships. such as the procuring and giving bonds. deportation at any time within five years. making that provision retroactive. and. in case of deportation. exposing them to possible prosecution in their own country for political opinions expressed by them during their residence here. Your petitioners therefore respectfully pray that all said invidious and harmful provisions be stricken from said proposed act.