Speech #780038527

Mr. President. the bill proposes to amend section 20 of the Emigration Act of 1917. as amended. so as to enable the Government of the United States at a time when the country is at war to deport to countries allied with the United States certain aliens who are citizens or subjects of our allies who for any reason cannot be deported to the country of their origin. Mr. President. the following situation confronts us: At the present time under the law It is impossible to deport from the United States any citizen of any nation with which we are allied which has been overrun by any of the Axis Powers. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization was proceeding in a norrial manner with the deportation of aliens to a country which is the seat of the governments in exile of these various powers. Under an opinion by the United States district court it was determined that such procedure was not legal. and the bill would merely permit the deportation of such aliens to the country wherein is located the governments In exile. The bill has particular reference. Mr. President. to the deportation of alien seamen. although it would be applicable to any alien. It is approved by the Department of State. it is approved by the Department of Justice. it has the wholehearted and unqualified endorsement of the War Shipping Administration. It will -also permit the deportation of any alien. be he seaman or otherwise. to the country whence he last shipped. if it is impossible to deport him to the country of his origin or the government of the nation of which he is a national is not in exile. It is a very important bill. Mr.