Archbishop RICHARD J. CUSHING. I feel that our present restrictive immigration policy as reflected in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 is outmoded and out of harmony with the humanitarian. democratic aim of our current domestic and foreign policies. It is an immigration policy based on fear. insecurity. and I also believe on racial prejudice. It is a denial and a reversal of the policy which brought about the creation. growth. and strength of our great democratic country. Most everyone agrees that the most detrimental feature of our present law and the one that is of paramount importance as far as revision is concerned. is the socalled national origins quota system. It is this system which says in effect that one race is superior to another and that we must therefore limit the admission of the inferior regardless of their individual qualifications or interests or needs. regardless of their refugee or surplus situation. and regardless of any family relationships which may be involved. We can and should establish a higher annual quota of admission to somewhere around 250.000. and an equitable substitute for the national origins quota system can be created for the allocation of these numbers. This new policy would eliminate. I believe. all discriminations and be flexible enough to take care of special problems and to insure that in any one year the entire quota will be utilized.
Identified stereotypes
One race is superior to another.