Speech #870011861

Let me complete my statement first. That person is required to know someone in the United States who can take care of him. if necessary. Most of our immigration laws were based on the idea of protection. so that people would not come to this country in droves and take away jobs from Americans. The whole attitude has been that that is what would happen with regard to persons coming into the United States. We have not made any attempt to make it easier for bona fide tourists to come to the United States. just as Americans visit foreign countries. It is something the executive department can do something about. and I know it will. I envision the day when the Immigration Service. the Customs Bureau. the State Department. and the Commerce Department. under the new Assistant Secretary. will sit down and say. "Let us see if we cannot simplify it and make it easier. so that someone who wants to tour the United States can feel that he is welcome." Frances Knight. in the passport department. has done an excellent job in the last 18 months. since this effort was started. in trying to simplify the procedure. There could be established pilot branch offices in Paris. Rome.