Mr. President. the amendment submitted by me and now pending has already been briefly discussed. and I shall add only a further word in explanation. It will be noted from the language of the amendment that the Secretary of Labor is authorized to admit unskilled alien laborers for seasonal agricultural purposes and agricultural purposes only. such laborers to be admitted under bonds or other satisfactory guaranties prescribed by the Secretary of Labor to insure their return to their own country within not to exceed eight months of the date of their admission. The amendment authorizes the admission of such alien laborers only in case unskilled labor for the cultivation and harvesting of agricultural crops can not be had in our own country. This of itself removes every opportunity for competition between our own laborers and alien laborers. Under the provisions of the amendment not one single Mexican will be admitted as a citizen. As I have stated before. I am for the restriction of Mexican immigration with or without this amendment. and I intend to vote for such a bill. Furthermore. I am perfectly agreeable to having the Mexican quota in the bill reduced to the minimum. The object of securing these laborers in cases of emergency is not to increase the profits of sugar companies. it is to meet the economic needs in the production of our best agricultural crop. and involves. in a larger way. the building of our Western Commonwealths. The amendment gives to the Secretary of Labor entire control over the situation. It is perfectly reasonable to assume that he will be friendly to the employment of American laborers. and that he will not allow any immigrant to come into the country whose services are not required. Mr. President. during my term of service in the Senate. in dealing with measures affecting the problems of other States.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigration alien laborers