Speech #700107798

As to the preferential status: The present law gives a preferential status to the parents of American citizens. to the skilled agriculturists. and. also. to children of American citizens up to 21 years of age. So the present Jtenkins bill does not. in any way. aid or assist or make easier the coming of the parents of American citizens. the only thing in addition to the few exemptions to the husbands and children of American citizens from 18 to 21 years of age it gives is a preferential status of the balance of the quota to the wives and children of aliens permanently residing in the United States. As I have stated. the quotas the countries. where these stranded wives and children are. is extremely small. and the relief granted in this bill to them is merely nominal. as alnost every one of these countries in issuing passports to their emigrants give preference to the wives and children of those now residing "in the United States. and our consuls abroad are following this policy as well. As I have good reason to believe that a good deal of publicity will be given through the press. that Congress has passed legislotion that Will relieve the inhumane condition and that will enable to bring about the reuniting of these rnany unfortunate families. I am making this explanation for the purpose of falniliarizing the Members of this House with what this bill actually provides. and what relief. if it can be called a relief. it will give. so that they will not be misled when answering the appeals of these organizations and their constituents. Mr. Speaker and gentlemen. it is to be deplored that the Immigration Committee aid this House refuse this nearly unanimous appeal of the good American mothers that compose these many civic organizations in America. and are swayed by a few socalled ptrioticbut more properly unpatrioticintolerant organizations. represented by a few professional lobbyists and propagandists. Though there might be justification for the liberalization of the immigration law in other respects. in view of the millions of unemployed no one is requesting it or has sought to increase the large number of unemployed or that would permit of entry of any that would take the places of American laboring or wageearning people. Had that been proposed I am sure that the American Federation of Labor. who are at all times guarding the interests of the American wage earner. would not have joined in the recommendation for this legislation to bring about the reunion of the families. They realize that none of those that would be permitted to come. whether the parents of American citizens or the wives and the children under 18 years of age of the residing alien would in any way affect the present deplorable labor situation. therefore. the reason for refusing the sought for legislation can not be justified on these grounds. but is only due to the prejudice and intolerance brought about. as I have often stated. by a limited number of professional restrictionists.