Speech #760176920

Mr. Chairman. I propose. when we read the bill. to offer an amendment to increase the appropriation for the Immigration and Naturalization Service from $7.953.600 to $8.133.420. If we are going to economize. I think this is a very poor way to do it. This is breaking down the enforcement of our immigration laws. By this proposed cut you will reduce the force of that division by about 37 immigration inspectors. These are men of high standing. men who are qualified and needed for the important task of guarding our borders. and getting rid of the undesirable aliens in this country that do not belong here. There was no reason to economize by crippling an arm of the law. by reducing the force of immigration inspectors and clerks in order to save a little over $100.000. I do not think that this is proper and beneficial economy. I do not think the Appropriations Committee was willing to do it. I submit to the membership that both sides of this House should support my amendment to restore at least the lawenforcing arm of the immigration service to the 1939 Budget figures. If you should strike out these 37 inspectors you will break down the law you have been so zealous about enforcing. There has been a program for deportation of undesirable aliens. By cutting these 37 inspectors from the staff you will permit a lot of undesirables to remain here which in the long run will cost this country more than the salary of 37 inspectors. This should not be made a political question. I think a reading of the testimony before the committee will show that they were all in sympathy with the fact that this cut should not be made. but because the Budget Bureau said there should be a cut. they dug into the most vital part of the force. which should be left alone. I submit if we are going to economize we should do it in another way and not by removing from office the immigration inspectors who are so necessary at this time. particularly. when the country is in such unrest with all the aliens that are being smuggled into this country by the back door. Mr. Chairman. there was no justification in the hearings before the Appropriations Committee for cutting one penny of the appropriation for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. As a matter of fact. if I were a member of that committee I should have increased the number of men who are enforcing officers in our Immigration Service in this country. It has been stated on this floor that the Department of Labor is not enforcing the law in some deportation cases. If we do away with 37 inspectors. some 27 clerks and the 8 additional men who check up on all of these undesirable aliens. we will practically break down the law. I submit it should not be done.