Speech #820178738

H. R. 5678 is the outgrowth of over 4 years of studies. investigations. conferences with various departments of the administration and extensive hearings. It is a codification and revision of all immigration and nationality laws. never previously attempted. The extensive and searching report on the bill is House Report No. 1365. It makes these basic changes In our Immigration. nationality. and naturalization laws: First. The bill eliminates all racial bars to immigration for naturalization. Regardless of what some critics of the bill say. at no point would the eligibility of any person to come to the United States and to become an American citizen depend on this persons race. There are only numerical limitations imposed on immigrants. and their ability to meet certain economic. security. and health standards. Second. The bill eliminates all discrimination between the sexes with respect to immigration and naturalization. Third. The bill introduces a system of selective immigration by giving special preference to silled persons whose services are urgently needed in this country. Fourth. Taking due cognizance of the existence of a worldwide Communist conspiracy. hostile to the United States and to the free world. the bill strengthens requirements for security screening and makes it possible both to prevent the entry of Communist conspirators and to weed out those who have infiltrated into our midst. Fifth. Taking notice of the shocking percentage of aliens in the recently investigated activities of the criminal element. the bill broadens the grounds for exclusion and deportation of criminals. violators of the narcotic prohibitions. stowaways. and deserting seamen. Sixth. It tends to curtail certain lax practices that have developed through the years in the adjustment of the immigration status of aliens who have entered this country illegally or who are subject to deportation after entry. In this and many other respects the bill favors the lawabiding alien who desires to come to the United States when permitted to do so by the law. But it certainly does not favoras some of its critics would apparently preferthe alien who sneaks in in violation of the law. gets his status adjusted. and takes the place of his countryman who has been patiently awaiting outside for many years for an opportunity to enter the "promised land." Seventh. The bill continues the existing quota system and the determination of the annual quota for natives of each quota area is based on the United States census of 1920. The Bureau of the Census has been requested by the committee to submit as soon as possible an analysis of the 1940 and 1950 censuses for possible future revision of the 1920 basis. However. that will take over a year to obtain the necessary analysis and. therefore. the 1920 basis should not be altered at the present time.