Speech #740078006

I may say that I was vice chairman of a committee on immigration which made a survey of the law and of the practices under a former administration. consequently I do know something about the matter. Mr. Chairman. my distinguished colleague from Texas having convinced the House of his opposition to aliens residing lawfully in the United States. his opposition to the admission of any aliens for 10 years to come. and having declared his hope that all aliens could be deported. so that their jobs might be given to nativeborn citizens. perhaps will answer this question: Why did he oppose the Dickstein bill. introduced by me. to repatriate 20.000 Filipinos now in this country and on its relief rolls? These Filipinos are anxious to return to their own country. and the United States can transport them at the cost of what is now being paid out for less than 2 months expenditure for their relief. The Naturalization and Immigration Committee is informed that the Philippine Legislature is already taking steps toward an appropriation that will reimburse the United States for moneys expended in transporting them. Consequently their repatriation will cost our Government nothing. On the contrary. it will effect a great economy. My colleague from Texas fears that when times are better these 20.000 will return to the United States. That will be quite impossible. for under our new quota law the entrance of Filipino immigrants is now limited to 50 a year. Had he read the bill when he objected to it? My colleague from Texas has just spoken of the proposed bill on the admission of the foreign Boy Scouts who have been invited by the American Boy Scouts to hold their annual International jamboree in Washington in August.