However. in order that the ships of our allies may put to sea to carry goods and materials needed not only by them but in some cases by our own armed forces. the services of these men are needed. There has been much delay in sailings and that must be stopped if possible. The deportation laws that are presently on the books provide for the deportation of aliens illegally in this country to their native country. It was determined sometime ago that under that provision of the law alien seamen illegally in the country might be deported to the location of their government in exile and that that would be a compliance with the statute. As long as that view and practice was followed most of the seamen reshipped. But after that practice had been followed for a little while several of our courts held that the term "native country" refers to the country territorially. and not governmentally. and that therefore under the present statute the seamen could not be deported to the country of the government in exile. Many of our Allied countries are presently occupied by the Axis. It is impossible to order the deportation of the alien seamen from this country to their own native countries because they could not be transported and accepted there. So this bill is designed simply to provide that where aliens of our allies are illegally in this country. they may be ordered deported to the location of their country in exile or if their country in exile is not in such location as to make possible their deportation. then they shall be deportable to the country of the registry of the vessel on which they came to this country. Of course this proposal applies generally to all aliens but it is clear that it is expected to be particularly applied to alien seamen. The effect of this bill will be that these men will not be permitted to shirk their responsibilities and to avoid the jobs that they have undertaken. but particularly in view of the manpower shortage that affects all of us will be required under the operation of this law either to reship as seamen on their vessels or else face detention in this country.
Keywords matched
deported deportable deportation