Speech #740208131

Mr. President. for several years efforts have been made to break down vital provisions of the immigration laws. but Congress has refused so far to take away this protection from the wage earners of our country. Inasmuch as American wage earners are fundamentally affected by immigration policies it will not be out of place to call attention to the attitude of the largest labor organization in our country toward this measure. I am advised that a committee appointed by the executive council of the American Federation of Labor made a thorough investigation of this measure and declared that under no circumstances would labor approve of section 3. According to its sponsors this bill was the outcome of the report of what was known as the Ellis Island committee. Fortyeight residents of New York were appointed to make a thorough investigation of immigration with the view of submitting legislation to Congress. No representative of the American Federation of Labor was on that committee. Neither President Green nor any other officer of the American Federation of Labor was asked to detail a representative to act for the American Federation of Labor. Based on the report of this committee five bills were introduced. each of them having some provisions to weaken the immigration laws. Members of Congress who believe that the immigration laws should be tightened instead of weakened fought these bills until finally one measure was written. and it is now before the United States Senate for action. The outstanding feature of the bill is the provision leaving it to the discretion of an interdepartmental committee s to whether any Illegal entrant shall be deported. Section 3 provides that the interdepartmental committee may permit to remain in the United States any alien who entered the country illegally other than those deportable under the law enacted relating to prostitutes. procurers. or other like immoral persons. if the alien is of good moral character and has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. If I am correctly advised. no such power. in our past history. has ever been given to any representative of the Government. Under this bill three persons. appointed by the Secretaries of Labor. State. and Justice could permit. as they saw fit. anyone who has entered the country illegally to remain here if he(1) Has lived continuously In the United States for a period of not less than 10 years. or (2) Has lived continuously in the United States for at least 1 year and has living in the United States a parent. spouse. legally recognized child. or. if a minor. a brother or sister. who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence or is a citizen of the United States. This bill provides that any alien not ineligible to citizenship as to whom there is no record of admission for permanent residence who has been permitted to remain in the United States in accordance with subdivision (a) of this section shall be recorded as admitted to the United States for permanent residence as of the date of the order permitting him to remain upon payment of a fee of $18 to the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization. such fees to be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts. It must not be forgotten that under present law illegal entry is a prison offense. and undoubtedly that provision would be repealed if the authority proposed were granted to the committee. If the bill becomes a law the deportation provisions of the immigration laws will be made discretionary instead of mandatory. There are still millions of the unemployed in the United States. and I cannot understand how anyone can advocate legislation that will put a premium on the illegal entry of aliens. It is a permanent law that is proposed. and after 3 years it will be enforced by the Bureau of Immigration. There are millions of persons in foreign countries who are anxious to come to the United States. even under present conditions. If this bill is enacted it will be possible for many of them to steal into the country. hoping for security in the power given the interdepartmental committee by section 3.