Speech #820214968

The Senator will have to pardon me for not yielding. Mr. President. the adoption of this amendment to provide for the pooling of unused quota numbers for use by lowquota countries is diametrically opposed to the fundamental philosophy behind the national origins quota system. and would have the direct effect of destroying our protective system of immigration as embodied in the national origins quota system. Let no one be misled by statements by supporters of the proposed amendment that it is hypocritical to make specific quotas available. and then not to provide for their full use each year. This position is based upon an entirely erroneous conception of our national origins quotas. The fixing of quotas is not an assurance that this country will guarantee the admission of that many immigrants each year. As a matter of fact. the establishment of the quotas is no guaranty that even one immigrant may enter this country. because the ultimate determination of whether an alien who has been issued a visa may enter the country depends upon a finding of admissibility by the immigration authorities when the alien applies for admission at a port of entry. The quotas under the national origins system are ceilings. not floors. upon the number of visas which may be issued. In other words. it was never the intent of Congress to guarantee that a minimum of approximately 150.000 quota immigrants should enter the United States annually.