Mr. President. as I said. a more eloquent tongue than mine has told why these patriotic societies are interested in and agressive on this subject. I want to begin again at the first of the American Legions statement made to us by Colonel Taylor at our meeting on February 4 last. and I ask to be allowed to finish it without interruption: (1) The Legion believes firmly in restrictive immigration. We believe that this is our country. and that we are entitled to be the judge of whether we shall allow people to come here from foreign countries to make their home with us. or to say to them. " We now have sufficient persons of other races within our shores." (2) As we favor restrictive immigration. the question of how the immigrants should he chosen is of paramount importance. The selection of immigrants upon the basis of the foreignborn population resident in America at any selected date is manifestly unjust. and opens such a basis to the charge of discrimination. This discrimination must inevitably exist. regardless of the census upon which it may be based. (3) The theory of the national origins of the entire population of the United States is therefore the fairest basis upon which immigration quotas may be based. It comprehends our entire population. just as the selective service act of 1927 included the entire young manhood of the Nation. regardless of race or creed. (4) During the World War 2.000.000 persons resident in America of foreign birth. claimed exemption under the draft because of their alienage. Yet. should we continue to base our quotas upon the foreignborn population. the countries of which these slackers are natives would be allowed to send additional immigrants to America on their account. although no account would be taken in immigration quotas of the nativeborn Americans who responded so admirably to the call of their country.
Identified stereotypes
Foreign-born residents are labeled as 'slackers' for claiming exemption from the draft.