Speech #800189187

Mr. President. the plan set forth in the amendment offered by the Senator from Michigan is one of several plans considered by the subcommittee and by the full committeeparticularly by the subcommitteein framing the bill. With regard to methods of administration. the distinction between the provisions of the bill as reported by the committee and the change suggested by the amendment may be summed up as follows: Under the provisions of the bill as reported by the committee. the Commission would prescribe rules and regulations and be the directive head of the agency for the administration of the law. but the means of performing the work would be left in the hands of the established immigration authorities. If this amendment were adopted it would cause endless confusion In the procedures for the admission of displaced persons into this country. There are already in the field. in our various consular offices abroad. trained officials who. during the course of more than 30 years. have become experienced in processing and handling immigrants into this country. In the past several years they have dealt with the problem of displaced persons. Although the amendment provides that the determination of eligibility under the immigration laws is to be made by the officials who administer such laws. the amendment undertakes to vest the Commission with power to perform all functions of administration and coordination. Under the provisions of the bill as reported by the committee the plans and the general methods of administration would be prescribed by a Commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. but the Commission would prescribe only rules and general methods to be followed in the execution of the plan. The performance of the functions of administration would be left in the hands of the established immigration authorities. as has been done for 30 years. If we were to make the change -suggested by this amendment. what would it mean? It would mean bringing in to do this work persons who have had no experience whatsoever in the issuance of permits or visas. It would mean bringing in to deal with a very complex subject. the admission of displaced persons. officials who have never met the problem presented by the bill. The amendment would ignore and brush aside those who for more than 30 years have been charged with the admission of immigrants into the United States. The result would be less efficiency and more confusion. As compared with the plan outlined in the bill. there would be a great additional expense.