Speech #790082731

Mr. President. some 2 years ago at a meeting of the Immigration Committee the question was brought up regarding the large number of aliens in this country. At that time in answer to various questions in the hearings we were told that because of the war and the conditions on the continent of Europe and also because of the lack of shipping very little could be done toward moving these aliens out of the United States. When they came here from various Axisdominated countries of Europe they were registered. and. after registration. some had been placed in confinement and we were informed that the immigration authorities of the Department of Justice were looking after them as best they could. This was a small number of the total. Mr. President. now that the situation 1n Europe has cleared up and the countries from which these aliens come are no longer dominated by the Axis. they should be deported as rapidly as possible. I understand that on a recent trip the steamship Gripsholm took 700 of the worst type of the aliens back to Europe. and I understand that on her next trip she will take some 1.200 more. I understand further that there have been. according to the immigration authorities. 13.000 aliens already processed to be sent back to the Continent. but before they can be sent back the Army has to give clearances for their return to the European theater. Well do I appreciate the fact that the Army is moving as fast as it can to bring about these clearances. My hope is and my thought is that the ships which are coming to the shores of America every day with our returning heroes and are making the voyage back to Europe practically empty so as to bring back additional members of our armed forces. may be used to transport these aliens back to their homes. Mr. President. in addition to the types of aliens I have spoken of. I am reliably advised by those in charge that there still remain in the United States some 150.000 refugees from Axis countries. Some time ago there appeared an article in the newspapers showing that some of these refugees had made the sum of approximately $800.000.000. and. of course. they were not subject to taxation. because they were visitors. The situation in the Axis countries is now cleaned up. and it is necessary that these people should leave this country. They were brought to America. for what reason I am unable to say. I believe that every effort should be made by the Department of Justice. the Army and the Navy to return these 150.000 refugees immediately. I have seen with my own eyes the displaced people in Europe. I think I know their thoughts. and I believe I am correct when I say that every day these 150.000 refugeesdisplaced peopleremain here they are going to have that much more desire to continue to remain. It is my hope that. with shipping as it is and with the situation in Europe cleared up as it is. every effort will be made by the immigration authorities. the Department of Justice..and the United States Army to return these people to their homes. at least get them out of our country. Mr. President. I also hope that as soon as possible the prisoners of war in this country can be returned to their native lands and that our boys who made possible the great victory in Europe. our gallant soldiers. will not find them here working in jobs and being treated kindly. The rate of employment will probably not continue to be as high as it has been. and as a Member of this body I should not like to feel that these refugees. these aliens. and these prisoners of war. would in any possible way have an opportunity to cost one American soldier or sailor his full wages. his just pay. and his full employment. Let Americans run America. and let the heroes of our armed forces return to the America they knew.