Speech #750225549

Mr. Speaker. I wish to discuss briefly the question of foreign immigration. The immigration laws which we passed some years ago have been of inestimable benefit to the American people. I do not want to see those laws destroyed or abridged. Instead of breaking down our immigration laws. they should be strengthened and enforced. We cannot afford to throw down the bars of immigration. or open wide our gates to every disgruntled element throughout the world. Instead of inviting more aliens to add to our troubles. I would much prefer to see us deport a great many who are here now. .7186 But they tell us that these people are oppressed. That is nothing new. That is the same old cry with which they have attempted to destroy our immigration laws in the past. Almost every disgruntled element that ever got into trouble In Its own country has pleaded for admission into the United States on the ground that they were oppressed at home. If we should follow such a policy. we would be inviting to America the riffraff of every other nation in the world. They would add to the troubles we already have. pad our relief rolls. and stir dissension and discontent here as they have done abroad. Suppose we should attempt to throw down our immigration bars to everyone who claims to be oppressed in his own country. We would be inviting all the Communists in Germany and Italy and both Facists and Communists in Spain who are dissatisfied with the present regime. and with them would come a great many other undesirables. regardless of their attitude toward their present governments. The criminal elements on both sides would pour in.