Speech #700189449

I hope all will understand that aliens here prior to June 3. 1921. are here and a large number of them for the reasons stated before. the failure to keep a record of entry into the United States. Now. there was a record kept for quite a long time when applications were being made for nunc pro tune process. In the years 1923 and 1924. after the passage of the temporary quota act. the record was between 6.000 and 7.000 alien declarants. and at that time the declarations of intention averaged 300.000 a year. To me it is a most interesting thing that in all the days following the great immigration to the United States. when it ran more than 1.000.000 a year. that the declarations of intention did not reach higher numbers. and that actual citizenship papers were issued to so few. The present naturalization law has been in effect 23 years. In the records there are approximately 5.000.000 declarations of intention. Now. do not think I am saying that means that many are to come up. That is what we have had as to declarations of intention for 23 years. and out of that 5.000.000. 3.500.000 in the 23 years time made petitions for naturalization and about 3.000.000 certificates of naturalization. Remember. that is in 23 years time. . For years. as I said. efforts were made in every way possible to find some way to cure the nunc pro tune. which is illegal. and to provide a way by law. I am not alarmed. I am as satisfied as can be. my friends. that we must have a dead line. You will remember that in the 1924 immigration restriction act the burden of proof is always on the alien. not on the United States. and if he enters surreptitiously he is deportable for all time. It is necessary to find a dead line somewhere. and that is what we are trying to do. Madam Speaker.