Speech #830133458

I think it has been represented to be a great many things which it is not. In the first place. it is not a bill involving foreign policy in any sense. It is not a wetback bill. as it has been called. except in the sense that the passage of this legislation will assist the Department of Justice and the Immigration Service in controlling the illegal influx of the wetbacks. I do not think anyone would seriously contend that this Nation or any nation does not have the right and authority to prescribe the conditions under which those who enter it from the outside may obtain and carry out employment in this country. It is true that in the past we have operated the Mexicanlabor program under an agreement with Mexico. setting up the terms of employment. and other conditions under which these Mexican laborers should work in this country. We did that not because there was any necessity for doing it but simply as a matter of comity and as a way of bringing about a better understanding between the two countries with respect to the use of this labor. This resolution does not in any sense affect the wetback or illegal entrant into this country. The Attorney General has requested the passage of this legislation for the reason that he believes it will help control the illegal immigration. Those who come into this country and who are placed on farms in this country under the program will all come in legally. they will come in through the regular ports of entry. If there is a way by which these Mexicans can come in legally.