Speech #830178237

Mr. Speaker. much has been said in the House of Representatives and in the Senate on the Inequities and discriminations in our present immigration and naturalization laws. Since the passage of the McCarranWalter Act it has been demonstrated on many occasions that some of the provisions of the law are unduly harsh and restrictive. Legislation has been introduced in both Houses which would correct the major defects of the present law. and which would provide a more liberal immigration policy. one which would be more in keeping with our democratic traditions and our sympathetic desire to lend a helping hand to those who seek a new life in this great country of ours. I certainly hope that the appropriate committees in Congress will give serious consideration to this corrective legislation. and will report out a bill which will be flexible enough to permit us to meet our immigration responsibilities under changing world conditions. and yet will provide the necessary safeguards to our security and welfare. In line with my desire to bring about the enactment of an equitable immigration policy. I am also concerned with the apparent failures in the administration of the Refugee Relief Act. which was passed last year. and which was to provide for the admission of 209.000 refugees into the United States. and for the adjustment of status for some 5.000 aliens now in this country. over a 3year period to end December 31. 1956. Since the passage of that act in August of last year. less than a dozen such visas have been issued. although we know how eagerly these thousands await the opportunity of coming to the land of the free. I am sure we all realize the tremendous task of setting up such an agency which could administer this program. However. in the 8 months since the passage of the act. I believe that more definite progress could have been made. It had been anticipated that approximately 60.000 such visas could be issued the first year. I now understand that that estimate. which had been revised downward a while ago to 15.000. has now undergone a further revision. and that the figure is now set at 10.000. I must admit that with the lack of any definitive action in the past.