Mr. President. the original discussion by the committee concerning this bill occurred so many weeks ago that I wish. on behalf of the committee. very briefly to discuss the provisions of the measure in order that we may recollect. despite what I consider to be very misleading suggestions which have been made about it. exactly what this bill is about. Senators who have spoken in opposition to the bill have very carefully avoided discussing the portions of the bill which not only do not permit aliens to enter or to remain but which very definitely provide for the deportation of criminal aliens. Section 1 of the bill refers exclusively to a tightening of the present deportation laws so as to enable the Government to deport criminal aliens. The Department of Labor estimates that there are available for deportation on the ground of criminal activity an average of 4.000 a year. and that at the present time. because of defects in the present law. we are able to deport only 1.700. Under the provisions of this bill. if enacted. there would be made immediately available for deportation a total of 20.000 criminal aliens now in this country. and it would mean that from the time of the enactment of the bill an average of 2.300 more per year would be available for deportation than are available at the present time. So when Senators talk about this bill as being one which opens up the gates. as being one which makes it possible for aliens to remain here who are not entitled to remain here. they are not presenting the actual facts about the bill. because. under the terms of the bill. 20.000 criminal aliens will be immediately available for deportation. and. in addition. 2.300 each year.
Keywords matched
deportation