Speech #670283086

Now. just a moment on the question of appeals. There has been a very loose statement made here in regard to these appeals. and it ought to be understood. Some men say on the floor of the House that they know all about the immigration laws. and they are going to have this Assistant Secretary moved out from Washington and away from the influence of the Secretary of Labor. and they are going to put him down at Ellis Island. right where he is i touch with all these organizations and institutions and purposes and desires to bring people here who want to destroy this Government. people afflicted with all the diseases known to mankind. they are going to be right there to watch them and to help bring them in. I think we ought to think something about our own country and about its condition. This country has been and is yet the haven of the downtrodden and oppressed of tie world. but certainly we should not leave the doors wide open not only to those who are ready and willing and eager to destroy our Government but also to those who are afflicted with these diseases which. if allowed to enter. would sweep the country like a visitation of smallpox. Now further as to the question of appeals. the law provides for a board of inquiry and a board of hearing. It takes the testimony when a man is arrested to be deported. and when he lands at Ellis Island for admission a full and impartial hearing is given him. and all the evidence is taken. If he is rejected on the ground that he is In excess of the quota permitted. or if he is rejected on the ground that he believes in destroying our Government and its officials or for any of the reasons or causes that exclude an alien. he has the right to appeal from that decision. That is certified up to the Commissioner of Immigration. and the Commissioner of Immigration goes over it with his lawyers. and then it goes to the Solicitor General. who makes an investigation of the facts and the law. and then the Secretary of Labor. with all that examination behind him to enable him to see what the law is and what the facts are. either approves or rejects the decision first made excluding the alien.