Speech #820211949

We do not like. for example. the arbitrary powers proposed to be given to the Attorney General. There are other things which we do not like. We do not like the fact that a man may be deported on the basis of two criminal offenses." That was pointed out today by the Senator from Idaho . There are a host of other matters. such as the refusal to abolish a Visa Review Board and the failure to give statutory recognition to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Some of my colleagues have said to me. "At least. it takes care of one problem. namely. the problem of those of oriental background. It removes some of the discriminatory features from existing law." We have been pleading to get across to our colleagues that the substitute measure which we have offered and which is now before the Senate removes all discrimination and gives opportunity for the Congress of the United States to accomplish a basic minimum of reorganization of the immigration policy. I ask my colleagues in all good conscience and good faith whether they are prepared to rewrite the entire immigration policy of the United States on the basis of Senate bill 2550. after we have pointed out the many errors in that bill. the many liabilities it creates and the many potentialities for administrative abuse. I submit that if the Senate passes Senate bill 2550 without a careful scrutiny of every line and every page. and the bill becomes a law we shall live to rue that day. We shall be placing upon the statute books of the country legislation which is more arbitrary in granting broad powers to the executive branch and more discriminatory than any bill which has ever passed the Congress. I do not feel that it is right to parade before the Senate an immigration bill on the representation that it is a modification. liberalization. and recodification. when in fact it represents a complete rewriting of immigration law. Later today one of the members of the Judiciary Committee. the distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia [Mr. KTLCCREJ is to speak.