Speech #810209329

But the IRO does not and cannot certify a person as an eligible displaced person. That is the function of the Displaced Persons Commission and the IRO certainly cannot influence in one way or another the admissibility of a person. That is the function of the consular service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The IRO no more selects persons for admission into the United States than a parish priest in Italy. in certifying the birth and nationality of a wouldbe immigrant under the Italian quota. selects that individual for admission into the United States. Actually the great majority of the nominations of individuals for consideration as eligible displaced persons are made by American citizens and American voluntary organizations. I should like to point out that today on the average 330 out of every 1.000 applications received by the Displaced Persons Commission. including the certifications by the IRO. are eventually rejected by the United States Government agencies. Of these. 322 are rejected by the Displaced Persons Commission. 6 are rejected by the United States consuls. and 2 are rejected by the immigration inspectors. Long before the cases reach the consular and immigration services. almost all the poor security risks have already been rejected.