Speech #830164467

April 1.-Congressman ALVIN M. BENTLEY. Republican. of Michigan. predicted today that attempts will be made to limit Puerto Rican immigration to the United States if the problems that it creates are not resolved at the local level. BENTLEY was one of the five Members of the House of Representatives wounded last March 1. during the shooting that fanatical Puerto Rican Nationalists conducted in the Chamber of the House. Emphasizing that he has no hatred for the people of Puerto Rico. BENTLEY told a reporter that "the wave of immigrants from the free commonwealth is creating problems" in the American cities that receive them. The largest Puerto Rican colony in the United States is in New York. The Congressman said that "the local governments and the Puerto Ricans themselves who are already established in this country should assume part of the responsibility for the immigrants." He added that he hopes that the Governor of Puerto Rico. Luis MufiozMarin. "will make new attempts to bring back to the island a number of those immigrants who are unprepared to adapt themselves to the American way of life." BENTLEY said that Puerto Rico should make some effort so that Puerto Ricans who come to the United States are prepared for the transition. "I do not believe in controlled migration." said BENTLEY. "but I believe that unless some of the responsibility is assumed locally. either the Federal Government or the State governments will try to control Puerto Rican migration." The Republican legislator declared that if Puerto Rico wants its independence from the United States. "it can have it tomorrow as far as I am concerned." He added "and if they want statehood they should take their place behind Hawaii." Referring to the fact that the free commonwealth does not pay Federal taxes. Congressman BENTLEY said that "the Puerto Ricans are getting a good deal without assuming the obligations of citizenship. "Personally. I would prefer that Puerto Rico be an independent republic or a State of the Union." [From El Mundo.