Speech #830053982

With the coming of national elections in Italy. all of these problemsoverpopulation. unemployment. high cost of livingwill unquestionably reflect the seriousness of the situation. Some of the discontentment will probably find an outlet in the vote for the Communists and other extreme elements in the coming national elections in Italy. A substantial increase in the rate of emigration. therefore. is regarded as an important answer to Italys plight. The United States is in a position to help in two ways: First. by admitting a considerable number of Italian immigrants to this country. second. by helping to finance largescale Italian immigration to other countries. such as Canada. Australia. Argentina. Brazil. and other LatinAmerican countries. I am not in a position to discuss the second suggestion. since this is a matter for our Department of State. the Mutual Security Administration. and possibly the United Nations. But as for the first suggestion. namely. the admittance of a considerable number of Italian immigrants to this country. I wish to make a specific proposal in the nature of a bill which I am.introducing in the House today. My bill provides for the admission to the United States of 100.000 immigrants from Italy. outside of quota restrictions. during the 2 years beginning January 1. 1954. at the rate of 50.000 immigrants per year. I am further asking that the usual preferences established under section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall be waived in the case of those eligible to receive visas under my bill. and in lieu of such preferences the following should be given consideration for admission under this act: First. persons whose skills or services are needed in this country on the basis of their education. training. and experience. second. blood relatives of United States citizens or lawfully admitted alien residents. third. unskilled workers who are under 40 years of age. No priority as between these three preferences is prescribed in the bill. Mr. Speaker. Italy Is one of Americas best friends and allies in Europe. We have done much to help Italy during the past few years since the end of World War II. but the contribution made toward the growth and development of the United States over the past century or more by immigrants from Italy is no less great. By their hard work and their diligence. Italian immigrants in this country have helped the United States achieve its present greatness and its unparalleled position of world leadership. This country can use the skills and the productive capacity of these immigrants to maintain the continued growth of our economy and the development of our resources. I urge all of my colleagues to support this most deserving measure. The text of my bill is as follows: A bill to admit 100.000 immigrants who are natives and citizens of Italy Be it enacted. etc.. That. during the 2 years beginning January 1. 1954. not more than 100.000 immigration visas may be issued without regard to quota limitations for those years to natives and citizens of Italy seeking to enter the United States as immigrants: Provided. That not more than 50.000 such visas shall be issued under this act during each of such 2 years: And provided further. That such persons are otherwise eligible to enter the United States for permanent residence. SEc. 2. The preferences provided within the quotas by section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall not be applicable in the case of any person receiving an immigration visa under this act. In lieu of such preferences the following preferences. without priority in time of issuance of visas as between such *preferences. shall be applicable in the case of such persons and their spouses and unmarried dependent children (including adopted children and stepchildren) under 21 years of age. in the consideration of visa applications. (1) Persons whose services are determined to be needed in the United States because of the education. technical training. specialized experience. or exceptional ability of such persons and to be substantially beneficial prospectively to the national economy. cultural interests. or welfare of the United States. (2) Persons who are the blood relatives of citizens or lawfully admitted alien residents of the United States. such relationship in either case being within the third degree of consanguinity computed according to the rules of the common law. (3) Persons who are unskilled workers under 40 years of age. SEC. 3. The determination of eligibility for preference under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2 of this act shall be made jointly by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General upon a petition filed by any United States citizen. or any lawfully admitted alien resident of the United States. or any American institution. firm. organization. or governmental agency desiring to have a person specified in the first section of this act classified under that paragraph.