Speech #850007686

Mr. Speaker. if the Presidents recommendations were enacted into law. this country would admit over 200.000 people annually in excess of the number of immigrants which we receive at this time. Here is the breakdown of this figure: The President wishes to admit escapees selected by the Secretary of State. the number of whom "should not exceed in any I year the average number of aliens who over the past 8 years have been permitted to enter the United States by special acts of Congress outside the basic immigration system." Under 3 such laws. enacted in 1948. 1950. and 1953. respectively. this country has admitted outside the basic immigration quotas approximately 400.000 displaced persons and 200.000 refugees. This total of 600.000 represents an annual average of 75.000. which. under the Presidents recommendations. could be admitted each year as escapees over and above the present quota system. Under another of the Presidents recommendations. an additional 65.000 quota immigrants would be admitted and. under still another of his recommendations. unused quota numbers would be available to countries which consistently fill their immigration quotas. Based on official statistical figures for fiscal years from 1952 to 1956. inclusive. this recommendation will produce an additional 60.000 immigrants annually. Further. the canceling of the socalled "mortgage" on quotas would have the effect of admitting 8.000 immigrants annually. Thus. the total effect of the Presidents recommendations would be to increase the number of quota immigrants75.000 plus 65.000 plus 60.000 plus 8.000by 208.000 each year. It is necessary to remember that our regular annual intake of immigrants averages now slightly in excess of 200.000. Should the Presidents recommendations be enacted into law. our annual intake of immigrants would undoubtedly average well in excess of 500.000. In view of the fact that 4 million Americans are brought into the world each year. I do not believe that this countrys housing and educational facilities. institutions of health and welfare. and employment opportunities are sufficient to accommodate the additional number of those that would have to be integrated into our economy. It is also important to remember that the President does not recommend any change in the system of our nonquota admission of immigrants. This means that the continuous influx of immigrants from Mexico60.000 last year and 80.000 in the current year. approximatelywould not be curtailed. Regarding the Presidents recommendation under which the Attorney General. and not the Congress. would provide relief in immigration cases where the law does not offer solution in individual cases. my personal opinion is that the Congress should exercise its constitutional prerogative to redress grievances and that it is much more equitable to have the Congress weigh the merits involved in each individual case on a completely impartial basis than to have a politically appointed officer of the administration exercise the authority to grant or deny relief to individuals. Many of the technical amendments to our immigration laws that the President recommends are already embodied in the bill. H. R. 4008. which I have introduced earlier this week. As to the problem of Hungarian refugees. I do not wish to make any comment at this time. since my subcommittee is right now engaged in an extensive investigation of this matter. I expect it will be terminated shortly. permitting us to explore the matter fully in public hearings Small Business Administration Loan Authorization Increase SPEECH OF