Speech #740139620

I think there may be a misunderstanding as to the purpose of the proposed legislation. I know that the Immigration and Naturalization Service regards this bill as important in connection with the enforcement of our immigration laws. It has no relationship to the immigration policy. It is designed to strengthen the law with reference to criminals. to make it possible to deport one for crime involving moral turpitude. and to make racketeers and gangsters convicted of carrying dangerous weapons subject to deportation. The bill makes the violator of State narcotic laws subject to deportation on the same terms as does the present law with reference to violators of Federal acts. It makes the agent who smuggles other aliens into the country deportable. The present law permits the deportation of the alien who enters illegally. but does not permit the deportation of the alien smuggler. It requires that the recommendations of judges staying the deportation of criminals be approved by the interdepartmental committee consisting of representatives in the Departments of State. Labor. and Justice. The bill transfers from the Secretary of Labor to supervisory officers in the field the issuance of warrants of arrest and permits the detention of aliens who have entered llegally for a period of 24 hours during the issuance of such warrants. For lack of this authority the Government has lost track of during this year 2.600 aliens who otherwise would have been detained and eventually deported. The bill also permits aliens who entered before July 1. 1934. and who are not subject to deportation to register. thus putting them in the same category as aliens who entered prior to June 3. 1921. and who under the present law are permitted to register and eventually to become citizens. The bill also permits aliens who entered the country as visitors or students. but who are entitled to admission as in a nonquota or preference status. to change their status without leaving the country. The bill further provides for a limited discretion to be vested in the committee representing the Departments of State. Labor. and Justice to stay the deportation of aliens of good character who have not been convicted of crime. and who have been in this country 10 years. or who have members of their immediate families here. The present law is full of loopholes. and the bill is intended to promote the better enforcement of our immigration law. It does not change the immigration policy.