Speech #750168232

The thing I am particularly interested in with regard to the subject matter of this investigation is the charge which is being circulated In certain quarters in regard to the methods of the Secretary of Labor in handling cases of aliens who have been found deportable. but whose deportation has been .stayed. without authority from Congress. for a period of some 3 years or more. the charge or charges being. in substance. these. that the Secretary of Labor. anxious to permit the staying of these aliens in the United States and to prevent their deportatlon. instead of deporting them. as provided by law. has been following the practice in the course of which there has been an agreement with the Canadian Government. as I understand it. allowing these aliens who have been Illegally admitted into this country. or who are illegally here. to go to Canada and to attempt to procure there the necessary visas for lawful entrance. from American consular officers. having had given to them by commissioners of immigration letters assuring the Canadian Government that if they are not found eligible for a visa they will. nevertheless. be readmitted to the United States. and the charge is made. in that connection. that these aliens. after having gone temporarily to Canada for this purpose. have been readmitted to the United States recently at the rate of some 200 per month. That. of course. is a very serious charge. Naturally. we are predisposed in favor of the honesty and proper purpose of any cabinet officer in the incumbent administration. and I feel particularly concerned in knowing whether or not there is a basis for that charge. and for that reason I would like you to give us such information as you can concerning it. I do not understand that the Department of State is charged with complicity in any such purpose which may exist. I do understand that they are simply implementing the orders made by the Secretary of Labor and the Labor Department in this connection. It is also charged that the Secretary of Labor. in many of these cases. has waived the consideration of crimes involving moral turpitude as an objection to the admittance of aliens. and that the State Department has thereupon. through its consular officers. issued visas for the admission of such aliens. recognizing the authority of the Department of Labor to make the waivers in question. Anything that you can tell us that will throw any light upon that question will be appreciated by myself. and I am very sure by the other members of the committee.