Speech #710235711

Mr. Chairman and members of the committe6. vhen the Presidents recommendations were made to this House. the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization considered that part referring to the request for a consolidated border patrol. Some of the hearings were public and some plans were suggested for the enlargement and improvement of the border patrol. Some of the hearings were executive. at which considerable important matter was brought out. The Immigration Committee at once took a stand against an enlisted service. under the Coast Guard. for reasons which must be apparent to all. After that and a few other recommendations were cared for. I believe I am correct in saying that almost without exception the members of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization decided they wanted the border patrol strengthened. enlarged. and given a little more power for the enforcement of all the laws which need enforcement at the border. Therefore I believe the members of the committee. of which I have the honor to be chairman. will support this bill all tile way through. I had the honor to introduce the resolution which was passed by the House in 1924 which created the immigration border patrol. In five years it has proved wonderfully successful. in spite of the fact it took two years. with considerable turnover. to get the type of men capable of enforcing the laws. It holds a record for efficiency which is unexcelled. It is the hope of our committee that the men of the immigration border patrol go over into the unified patrol service. that they will maintain the morale they have established. that they will act with justice and fairness. I am in hopes that the only law which controls the present border patrol. that giving tile right to search and seizure. will not be weakened. If I could address the officers and men of the immigration border patrol I would say to them: Men. you will have to act with precision. A commanding officer can not always be with you. It will be your duty to enforce the laws of the United States against all those who would break them at the borders. either by surreptitious entry or by smuggling or by bringing in narcotics or any of those vicious and violent things which the citizens of the United States do not want.