The Senator In the early part of his remarks with reference to those who come into the United States illegally raised the question as to whether such entry is a crime under the laws of the country. I have always contended that it is. But the Senator does not go far enough. because under the La Follette Seamens Act. which I have always considered to be the charter of liberty for the seamen. shipowners insisted on bringing in immigrants because of the fact that under that law a seaman has the right to go ashore for 60 days. When we can prove a seaman has been assisted by the shipowner to enter the country illegally there is a penalty of a thousand dollars in each case. and. as I recall. during the time when I was Secretary of Labor. there was imposed upon shipowners for the violation of that law penalties equivalent to $5.000.000 because the shipowners were in the game. first. of trying to defeat the La Follette Seamens Act by employing cheap help. and. second. giving the immigrants jobs on their vessels and having them paid a thousand dollars. if they are caught. so that the fine may be paid. I think this goes much further. and the Commissioner General of Immigration. without any restraint on him at all. would have the right under this particular section to admit such aliens into this country. It would open a loophole which would encourage the destruction of the La Follette Seamens Act.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigrants