Speech #640260962

Mr. Speaker. the President in his veto message calls attention to a certain clause which was included in the immigration bill at the request of the Jewish people. a clause which enables persons of their faith. or of any harassed religious faith. to come into the country� in spite of the fact that they can not read. Under the terms of this proposed law such persons are admissible to the United States provided that they can convince the immigration officials that they are fleeing either from oppressive religious laws or from religious persecution at the hands of the people of some foreign country. The President declares that the clause in question imposes on our administrative officers the duty of passing "judgment upon the laws and prdctices of a foreign Governifient." He says that such a function is most "invidious" and that it may "lead to very delicate and hazardous diplomatic situations.." With all due respect to the President. there is nothing in his argument. We have had in the immigration law for years and years a provision which requires our administrative officers to ."pass judgment upon the laws and practices of a foreign Government" whenever an alien immigrant seeking admission to this country claims to be the victim of political persecution. This new provision to which the President objects merely adds-