Speech #700066757

It would be the first instance in our modern legislation for writing into our laws the hateful doctrine. of inequality between the various component parts of our population. The consequences of such differentiation would be deplorable. and in the end would be heard above the strident outcries of those who are seeking to stimulate and foster racial. religious. and national hatreds. which carry with them acurse wherever they prevail. It is particularly deplorable that the immigration law today does not permit a prospective citizen to settle in this country with his family and become fully Americanized. No reason exists. for instance. why. if a man be admitted to the United States. passing all requirements and qualifying himself under theexisting immigration law. his wife and children should not likewise be admitted to the United States as a matter of course. No reason exists why Congress should not provide by appropriate legislation that. instead of admitting individual immigrants. immigrants and their families should be admitted simultaneously into this country. After all. it would be il line with our national traditions to foster the union of families rather than compel their separation. as is so cruelly done under the present immigration law. Whether Congress ultimately adopts the "nationalorigin provision." which Congressman GREEN seems to think so much of. is immaterial for the purpose of my idea as to what the law should accomplish. I believe that we must see to it that in any legislation passed provision be made for the union of families rather than for their separation. As to this particular bill I should think it would be more humane to recognize visas issued by the American consuls abroad to prospective citizens and permit them to enter the United States in exemption of the quota instead of asking Con-