Speech #680040333

This bill admits fireside relatives of American citizens outside the quota. It counts abroad instead of in New York. It will do away absolutely with the hardships of deportation as far as the quota provisions are concerned. The national need for a further restrictive as well as selective measure is recognized In the bill. The changes proposed are not radical but necessary and may be summarized as follows: The weaklings are weeded out abroad by means of a certificate plan and the granting to American consuls the discretion to refuse vis.ds to those in their opinion undesirable. No families will be separated because of excess quotas. as no one can start without a certificate. which must. be used within two months from the date of issue. It also prevents the racing of huge liners across the ocean to be the first to land their pas. sengers. By means of this certificate plan a steady flow of foreign born through Ellis Island will be possible. resulting in a more thorough and more intensive examination. The quota is reduced from 3 to 2 per cent. so that new arrivals may be limited to our capacity to absorb them. The census of 1890 instead of that of 1910 Is proposed. No discrimination against any country can be claimed. because fathers and mothers over 55 years of age. husbands and wives of citizens of the United States. as well as their unmarried minor children under 18 years of age. are admitted as nonquota immigrants. and such persons will come chiefly from countries whose quotas will be cut. Those who are not eligible for citizenship are not admissible. because "we have no room in this land for those who can not assume the duties and obligations of citizenship." A minimum quota of 200 is provided for every country. Seepage of alien seamen into the United States will be stopped by means of a landingcard provision. The proposed bill reduces the number who may come from 357.000 to 169.000. The fight for further restrictive immigration is not as yet won. The bill is not a law. Allen influence. international in claracter. Is joining forces with "alien blocs" in the United States to prevent the passage of this measure. In large cities where the foreign born hold the balance of power. threats of political punishment have already gone out to their Congressmen in case the measure Is passed. In addition. the work Is not complete. Congress should continue the constructive program by adding to the quota the nationals of Mexico. A law should be passed penalizing the thousands of aliens who are smuggled into this. country In defiance of our law. The only legal remedy now available is deportation. and that is seldom used because of lack of funds. Enact a law placing the alien bootlegger in the class with the other deportable aliens. Permit the confiscation of airplanes. automobiles. and ships now used in the business of smuggling aliens into the United States. Establish patrols along the many unguarded highways leading into this country and at the same time conduct a thorough survey of our penal institutions to ascertain the undesirable alien and deport him. Our Nation. neither economically nor socially. needs more immigrants. but it does need to make good citizens of aliens now here. This is best accomplished by the restrictive policy of this bill. America must be kept American.