Speech #760057279

I rise in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Speaker. we have now arrived at a place where those of us who have been more or less active in these immigration matters will have to take a definite stand. Up until about 5 years ago the Congress did not entertain private bills giving relief in special cases having to do with the correction of immigration records of aliens. There was a reason for that. A basic principle runs throughout our laws on this question. and today we are going to surrender this principle if we are not careful. We are going to violate a provision that we have loyally adhered to all of these years. We have always maintained that an alien had no rights in this country until he arrived here. and that he had nothing but privileges after he arrived until he became an American citizen. Now an individual comes into the country and it is acknowledged that he came here on false passports or in violation of the immigration law. and we say "Let him stay here. it will work a hardship on him if we send him out." This amendment is offered and I know it is proposed simply as a matter of expediency. I dare say these gentlemen in their own hearts are not in favor of a proposition like this. but they must offer an amendment of this sort on account of the great avalanche of private bills that has been thrust upon us. This amendment improves the bill but it still fails to reach the principle that is violated.