It has not been considered by the appropriate subcommittee or committee of the Senate. Why? It has no departmental recommendations and it likewise makes sweeping although less drastic changes in our immigration system than did the substitute offered by the junior Senator from New York. Mr. President. the heart of our immigration system is and has been for many years the national origins quota system pursuant to which millions of aliens have gained admission to our shores and have become assimilated in our society. The theory underlying the national origins quota system is that we should apportion immigration visas to European countries in proportion to the historic population pattern of the United States so that we can preserve the cultural background of our society. The national origins quota system was adopted after World War I. for two important reasons. Perhaps some of the Members of this body do not know what is back of this system. It had long been apparent to serious observers after 1900 that the United States faced a period of great social stress with problems which we should find it difficult to solve. even if we maintained our earlier immigration policy. But that policy had been violently distorted from immigration by individuals and families who chose the hardships of exile into an organized mass movement bringing a million persons a year into our country. often with little enterprise on their part. The closing of the American frontier. at the end of the 19th century. affected all social problems in the United States. We no longer had a reserve of unsettled lands to which families could migrate. and establish themselves in economic independence.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants are described as an organized mass movement bringing a million persons a year into the country, often with little enterprise on their part.