Speech #840033122

Mr. Speaker. despite the smoke screen created by the Corsi affair and other attempts to discredit our immigration program. the Eisenhower administration will allow almost A2646 four times as many Italians to enter the United States during the fiscal year ending June 30. than are normally allowed under the immigration quota. This is a little known fact which has been deliberately obscured by certain elements who for political purposes are attempting to sabotage a great humanitarian undertaking. The refugee relief program is designed to bring 209.000 deserving aliens to America by December 31. 1956. Under the act Italy is far in the lead with some 21.000 visas expected to be issued by June 30. This is in addition to the normal Italian quota of 5.645 visas per year. The refugee program is now operating so well that there can be issued by December 31. 1956. sufficient visas for all who can qualify under the act and for whom there are required assurances. Those who are sincerely interested in the success of the refugee program can perform a great service by fostering the granting of assurances for the benefit of those who desire to come to America. An assurance. of course. is a guaranty that the alien will not become a public charge. The refugee relief program is now at the half way point in its 40month life. Some 108.000 persons have entered the pipelinethose are the applicants who have been notified of documents required to speed their cases toward a visa. Remember that the act calls for 209.000 admissions. Consequently. there is no reason why all qualified applicants cannot be processed in due course. The Department of State. starting from scratch in 1953. has established a worldwide visa issuing organization to administer the law. What Democracy Means to Me