Speech #830206006

Mr. President. that as a result of my letter. a special task force of the Internal Security Subcommittee has been established to make a thoroughgoing investigation of this situation. I am also gratified to report that as a result of protests some of us made about the budget cut for administration of the border patrol. a supplemental estimate has been transmitted for an additional $3 million to provide for necessary services in this connection. This estimate. if approved. will permit return to the Canadian border of the inspectors temporarily borrowed from duty there to help out on the Mexican border. and will also provide for improved enforcement of the law in the area where the socalled wetbacks are a primary problem. Before concluding on the subject of the immigration system and its relationship to our internal security. may I comment respecting a proposal contained in the bill. S. 2757. which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the loss of nationality of persons convicted of certain crimes. I suggest. Mr. President. in all fairness. that irrespective of the good intentions of the proponents of this measure. it would do more harm than good. and that the subject matter is adequately covered by existing provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 349 (a) (9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides for the loss of nationality by a national of the United States. whether acquired by birth or by naturalization. upon the commission of any act of treason against. or attempting by force to overthrow. or bearing arms against the United States. if and when he is convicted thereof by a courtmartial or by a court of competent jurisdiction. The bill. S. 2757. is so phrased that a nativeborn citizen of the United States could be divested of his citizenship for minor offenses. and at the same time. if this bill became law it could in some instances preclude convictions for treason against persons who had committed serious offenses against the United States. because only a citizen can be convicted of treason. and the bill.