Speech #830100176

It has been stated by many that this is a vital bill. that it represents only our rightful share in this great humanitarian project. It has been said also that we must lead the way. as though we have not been leading the way for the past 10 or 12 years. As I pointed out previously. our country has accepted 365.000 immigrants since 1948. or almost a third of the entire number of displaced persons resettled throughout the world. Argentina. a vast country. in which many DPs could find a haven. took in 32.712. But even this comparatively small figure is deceiving. On my recent visit to Argentina I was informed that many of the Europeans who came to Argentina as displaced persons are only there enroute. so to speak. Large numbers of them are now seeking admission. as Argentinians. to the United States. There are 15.000 Europeans--of whom 10.000 are Italians--seeking visas to the United States from Argentina. Argentina is only a stopover point enroute to the United States. I am forced to state. Mr. President. that those immigrants are not willing to do what our pioneers did in the early days of our history. These people do not want to go to a country like Brazil. which has land in abundance and natural resources far in excess of our own. and create a new life with their hands. They do not seek permanent admission to Chile.