Speech #720184829

Chairman. I think the situation with reference to this item emphasizes the folly of the reduction of blanket appropriations without careful study in each particular case. Now. in the regular appropriation bill there was a fiat reduction of a lumpsum appropriation which is used for the purpose of deportation. This appropriation included not only salaries but all expenses incidental to deportations of aliens. Out of 16.631 aliens who were deported in 1930and I am only giving these figures to show the ratio. which I believe would be about the same for the current fiscal year13.842 were deported at the expense of the Government. Of the 13.842 deported at the expense of the Government 1.476 were deported by vessels. That item alone is over $75.000. In addition there is railroad fare and maintenance for all 13.842 aliens deported at Government expense. There is where the larger portion of the expense comes in. and an arbitrary reduction of the lumpsum appropriation now necessitates this unreasonable furloughing of the employees in order to meet the funds on hand. Surely the employees should not be penalized by an additional 30 or 60 day furlough without pay. But. aside from that. this plan will cost the Government a great deal more than the expected savings. Now. that brings up the question of policy. If the Congress intends that the department should continue the work of deportation of aliens in penal institutions and all aliens who are here in violation of law or who are otherwise amenable to deportation. then this money must be appropriated. Failure to do so will not only prevent the proper enforcement of the law and change the entire policy established by Congress but will be more costly to the Government. As I stated before. in times of rigid enforcement the immigration law. as brought about by Executive order. has increased the incentive for alien smuggling. and surreptitious entry is greater. At this time there is systematized smuggling of aliens over the border and by steamship at the port. I have repeatedly stated. and I now say. that from my experience in the Consular Service and in the Immigration Service aliens can not be brought into the country without the knowledge if not the connivance of the steamship companies. The law provides heavy penalties for every alien unlawfully brought into the country. The steamship companies have been able to evade these penalties.