Speech #740217058

A. on numerous occasions. and found little cooperation. I also have asked the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor to cooperate in a move to determine how many aliens are holding jobs in private industry. but for some reason they view the suggestion with little interest. I am wondering if they realize that public opinion is being aroused to the point where wholesale deportations of aliens is being suggested in some quarters. Recently. while testifying before a committee. the eminent and capable Daniel W. MacCormack. Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalizati6n. pointed out that he has noted an increase of 66 percent in the number of aliens who have applied for their first papers and an increase of 33 percent in the number of those who have applied for their second or final papers. He ascribed this general rush to acquire citizenship to several reasons. most of them mercenary. He said that aliens are barred from city and State relief. and they want to participatealthough the Federal Government does not bar them except in rare instances. He also pointed out that they are barred from some forms of public employment and that some private employers do not employ aliens who cannot show proof that they have applied for their first papers. Aliens also are barred from socialsecurity benefits. Another reason for their flocking to become citizens lies in the fact that Congress recently reduced the naturalization fee from $10 to $5. and. he added for good measure. that aliens are becoming fearful of public opinion which might result in wholesale deportations. Commissioner MacCormack. in my opinion. properly classified these delinquent wouldbe citizens. The reason they want to become citizens is a mercenary one.