Speech #670005782

I can not say that I believe in any policy of iinmigration regulation based on the principle of exclusion. On the other hand. I believe that our permanent immigration prograim should be based upon the principle of selection. and I hope that our Immigration Committee will report soon a comprehensive immigration bill based upon the principle of selection. This will permit the selection and admission of those people who can best be assimilated. This will permit of an elastic policy which can be changed as economic conditions change. Furthermore. this selection will also be based upon the desirability of the immigrant. upon the question of citizenship. However. there is facing us today an emergency. and this is an emergency bill. Tile amendment before us seeks to extend and enlarge the limitation. If there is a necessity for limiting immigration. as most of us believe. then we should support the principle upon which the bill is based and not enlarge it by extending its exceptions. The amendment in question. it seems to me. is foolish. Under it we would exempt political refugees.. In addition we are asked to add to it a proviso which merely restates that which is existing law. The proviso ought to ga out altogether. The passage of the provision exempting political ref ugees would give to political refugees a preference and without any limitation whatever. This would permit them to come in here in hordes regardless of their number. Such a provision ought not to meet with approval fron this- House.