Speech #870191117

Mr. President. recently I have been asked many times: Will Congress pass a new immigration law this year? And I have replied that I hope we will do so. Our present law is outmoded. In fact. special congressional action has so changed the practical result of the 1952 act that today it is more honored in the breach than in the observance. Of the 2.5 million immigrants to this country during the 1950s. only 1 million were admitted under the provisions of the 1952 Immigration Act. The majority. 1.5 million. were nonquota. entering by means of special supplementary legislation of the Congress. Thus It is clear that Congress has recognized the deficiencies in the act of 1952 by passing this volume of special immigration and refugee legislation to supplement and even to circumvent it. Such piecemeal patchwork truly makes a mockery of the 1952 act. but the act itself remains as an unfortunate symbol of discrimination. We need a new law. one which is in accord with presentday realities. Our law must express our genuine concern for less fortunate people who wish to become American citizens. Immigration has had many desirable results. Families have been united. refugees given an opportunity to create new lives. and we in the United States have profited from the skills and talents of thousands of hardworking recent arrivals. Think of the work of Fermi. Einstein. Von Braun. and others of their stature whose genius and devotion have helped to build our strength and. yes. even providing for the very safety of our country. And yet there are many other immigrants who do not need to achieve nationwide acclaim to lend strength to our Nation. Immigrants make good citizens. They work hard and apply themselves diligently to making a good home and living for themselves and their families. They are good family people and it is mighty satisfactory to a man like myself if I can help to unite families who have been separated because of hardships. or the inability to get together in a new country where they want to become citizens.