Speech #660099652

It is not necessary to compel all who seek entry into this country to obtain the consent of their home Government. because a few undesirables have come here. thereby imposing hardship on all because of the faults of the few. In this law you iiropose to compel a man to secure a passport from his liome Government. a requirement that was never thought of before the war. and such passport be.vis~ed by our consular representative in such country before lie can come here. From statements that have been made in this debate it appe ars that it would be optional with our consular representative whether lie would visd the passport or not. and there is no provision in this bill granting an appeal from such arbitrary power. and right of appeal to the United States Commissioner of Immigration here should be provided. It will deny political refugees the right of asylum. and in a country where men are thrown into prison for political offenses on all manner of trumpedup charges they would be denied the opportunity to escape bondage and oppression on the flimsiest kind of 6 charge. If this law is passed. goodby immigration. goodby land of the Pilgrims pride. I am not in favor of any such legislation under present conditions. and I am opposed to the arguments made here in favor of it. Undesirable and dangerous radicals and agitators can now be kept out and put out of the country. under the general laws now in force. and it is unfair for honest and deserving aliens. anxious for opportunity and liberty. to suffer for the faults of a few wild dreamers. This may be .another plangrowing out of the late warof the restrictionists to control and shut 6ff Immigration. but the point to which I wish to call your attedIon Is this: I asked the gentleman from Texas. when he was speaking. a question. and he said that it was optional with our consular representative to say whether or not an immigrant should be admitted into this country. Now. there ought to be-