Speech #680080925

Our situation is more or less identical with the physician called to treat a patient for an infection of the hand. Doubtless the patient is suffering from the infection. more or less similar to the condition which the proposed legislation attempts to remedyany worthy physician would first endeavor to control the spread of the infection. That is what we should do regarding immigration. If we fear continuation of uninterrupted and unrestricted immigration. Would you employ a physician whose only thought was as to whether he should amputate at the wrist. the elbow. or the shoulder? I believe we should adopt legislation which will meet the condition. with due regard for past. present. and future benefits accrued through immigration. The amendment which I offered seeks to base the quota permitted to be admitted to this country on the basis of aliens who have become American citizens. which. I submit. is the final analysis and the acid test which should be applied to all who seek welcome in this land. All of you know that during the war. by special authority from Congress. aliens were naturalized in groupsthose who were in the military service. They could be naturalized without the formality incident on ordinary naturalization. Wearing the uniform of the United States soldier was sufficient evidence of their interest and sincerity for the welfare of this country. Therefore. I say again. if we really seek an equitable. fair. and judicious foundation for our quota calculations. why not base it on the percentage of the aliens from any given country who had become American citizens by the end of the year 1920? The total would be less than in this bill. There was practically no immigration during the years of the war. Certainly the nations whose brave sons marched along with ours are entitled to recognition. at least in the degree to which their soldiers took up our battle. and whose interest and fidelity was such that they became American citizens while performing the duties of soldiers in time of war. Some Members have sought to disparage all immigrants because of a supposed transgression of law on the part of those who are admitted. I do not concede that violation of the law is confined to a particular class. to particular immigrants from particular countries. I do not believe that statistics will show that the percentage violation is any greater among people of foreign birth than those of native birth. Even if it were slightly greater among peoples of foreign birth. there is a valid explanation.