JoHNsoNI has referred to the great source of unlawful entries when he speaks of seamen who leave and never return to their ships The gentleman has talked with me more than once as to privileges enjoyed by seamen. It is a great international question. one that must be delicately handled. and yet if his statements are correct. thousands are permitted to come in because of an international custom. probably now almost recognized as international law. allowing 60day shore leave. so. that they may wander around in search for a better ship on which to return. Many of them avail themfselves of that right. not for the purpose of seeking employment en another vessel but really to violate our immigration law. That will require study on the part of the gentlemans committee that we may write Into law something that will prevent this abuse of a privilege on the part of many who enter our gates against the plahm mandate of the law. When you place some punishment upon those people and not limit the punishment alone tow the owners or captains of vessels you will go far to strengthen the enforcement of a law that we believe in. These are matters that should be considered by the legislative committee. and I am glad to learn from the distinguished chairman of the committee that he is in sympathy with legislation along these general lines. I recognize it requires time to know just what further enabling acts should be passed. The time is now ripe for the consideration of enabling acts that will provide adequate punishment on all who violate our immigration statutes. Let mae call attention to another weakness in the law. and I think it may surprise some of you. We felt we had excluded the Chinese. but under a judicial interpretation of the treaty of 1880. we are told thait where a Chinese assumes the status of a merchant he has the right to (o what a Swede or an Englishman or a German or an Italian can not do. namely. bring in his family without having them even charged to a country quota.
Keywords matched
immigration