Speech #830100441

Speaker. I rise to urge the adoption of House Resolution 353 making in order the consideration of the bill H. R. 6481. to authorize the issuance of 240.000 specialquota immigrant visas. and for other purposes. House Resolution 353 provides for an open rule. waiving points of order against the bill and allows for 2 hours of general debate. Mr. Speaker. this bill has several important purposes. First of all it would provide that between now and January 1. 1957. up to 240.000 specialquota immigrant visas may be issued to certain categories of aliens. This bill would also authorize the Attorney General to adjust the immigration status of certain aliens who were lawfully admitted to the United States prior to July 1. 1953. The third very important purpose of this bill is to place the administration of H. R. 6481 within the framework of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to provide for additional safeguards against the admission of possible security risks. This bill also seeks to make sure that these new immigrants shall not become public charges. The Joint Committee on Immigration and National Policy shall according to the provisions of this bill conduct a study of the administration of the proposed law and report on the effects of the law on the national security. the economy. and the social welfAre of the country. This specific measure. Mr. Speaker. has been asked for by the President to relieve the overcrowded conditions in Italy and the Netherlands and to take care of some of the political and religious refugees who have fled Communist lands in Europe. � On the 22d of April 1953. the President of the United States addressed a letter to the Speaker of this House in which he said among other things: The problem of population pressures continues to be a source of urgent concern in several frendly countries in Europe. It is imperative that we Join with the other nhations in helping to find a solution to these grave questions. These refugees. escapees. and distressed peoples now constitute an economic and political threat of constantly growing magnitude. They look to traditional American humanitarian concern for the oppressed. International political considerations are also factors which are involved. We should take reasonable steps to help these people to the extent that we share the obligation of the free world. Therefore. after consideration of all the points of view which have been presented. I recommend. within the framework of the immigration laws. the enactment of emergency immigration legislation for the special admission of 120.000 immigrants per year for the next 2 years. Which I may say parenthetically has been extended to three in the bill. In order to help resolve this current immigration and refugee problem in the tradition of our American policy. I urge that the Congress give this recommendation its earliest consideration. Sincerely.