Speech #690145639

I do not know. Perhaps the chairman is under the impression that the present deportation act Is so strict and so strong that we can deport them under the present law. I wish you gentlemen could spend 10 minutes in reading section 19 of the present immigration act. which is the deportation provision. and I know you would come to the same conclusion that I have come to. that it is as stringent and as strong a deportation provision of law as any committee can possibly frame. Under that law we deported last year over 9.500. and I think for this year we will deport many more. and were it not for the fact that the department did not have sufficient funds. the chances are we could have deported all of those that the gentleman from Washington has alluded to. Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House. notwithstanding the fact that this bill. containing 21 pages and embodying many changes of the present strict deportation law. and changing the established policy of this country. I have not availed myself of my parliamentary privileges by attempting or employing dilatory tactics in an effort to delay this vicious legislation. I feel that the chairman of the Committee on Immigration. due to the many misleading statements issued and made against the foreignborn residents. still has the membership of the House in such a frame of mind and so prejudiced that I feel it matters not how unfair and unjust and unreasonable or harsh legislation proposed by him. applicable to the foreign born. will receive the twothirds vote required under the suspension of the rules. Notwithstanding that fact. I feel it my duty to .call your attention to some of the unnecessarily harsh provisions in this proposed bill. with only the slightest hope that I might overcome the erroneous impression that prevails In your minds against the foreignborn people. Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House. last year the House nearly unanimously voted for a deportation bill. but. due to the harshness and Inhumane provisions which it contained. and which I have pointed out on the floor of this House. the Senate has refused to consider it. Early in the session I was hopeful that we would be able to agree on amendments to our deportation laws. and the minority has agreed to a bill that has been prepared. after three weeks of careful delberation by a subcommittee headed by the gentleman from Illinois . But at the last moment it was sidetracked and the bill H. R. 11489 substituted.