Mr. President. the point to which the Senator from California directs the attention of the Senate was carefully gone into by the committee. The language which he cites provides: That whenever an alien shall have been naturalized or shall have taken up his permanent residence In this country and shall have filed his declaration of Intention to bcqonm a citizenWe have struck out those words for the reason that we did not care to encourage these birds of passage immediately upon landingto declare their intention to become citizens. when they were at perfect liberty immediately to go backward and forward as they saw fit. but we incorporated the words "resided in the United States for seven consecutive years." When one has resided here for that length of time. it is nearly conclusive proof that lie intends to remain. Time Senate committee. after due consideration. knowing that the House text absolutely meant nothing and did not aid us in the object that we sought to attain. but was rather a bar to it. recommended the amendment. and therefore reported to strike out the words "permanent residence." and to insert in lieu therefor the words "resided in the United States for seven consecutive years" There is a large class that come and go. We were attempting to include those who really intended to stay in this country. and we wanted to put a reasonalble limit upon residence here which would justify us In the belief that they intended to re-: main.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants are described as 'birds of passage' who may not intend to stay permanently.