Speech #820201111

The purpose of this amendment is to clarify the status of a very small group of Filipino nationals who were admitted to the Territory of Hawaii under the provisions of the TydingsMcDuffle law. It adds to the definition of the term "lawfully admitted for permanent residence" this sentence: Persons who were admitted to Hawaii under the last sentence of section 8 (a) (1) of the act of March 24. 1934. as amended (48 Stat. 456). shhl be deemed to have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Section 8 (a) (1) of the TydingsMcDuffie Act. to which the foregoing refers. is as follows: For the purposes of the Immigration Act of 1917. the Immigration Act of 1924 (except sec. 13 (c)). this section. and all other laws of the United States relating to the immigration. exclusion. or expulsion of aliens. citizens of the Philippine Islands who are not citizens of the United States shall be considered as if they were aliens. For such purposes the Philippine Islands shall be considered as a separate country and shall have for each fiscal year a quota of 50. This paragraph shall not apply to a person coming or seeking. to come to the Territory of Hawaii who does not apply for and secure an immigration or passport visa. but such immigration shall be determined by the Department of the Interior on the basis of the needs of industries in the Territory of Hawaii. I repeat the last sentence. which is pertinent to this amendment: This paragraph shall not apply to a person coming or seeking to come to the Territory of Hawaii who does not apply for and secure an immigration or passport visa. but such immigration shall be determined by the Department of the Interior on the basis of the needs of industries in the Territory of Hawaii. This sentence was incorporated into the TydingsMeDuffie Act at a time when the Hawaiian industries were importing labor from the Philippine Islands. The people imported at that time were nationals of this country. as it was prior to the time the Filipinos were granted independence.