Speech #870292450

This discrimination not only is alien to our American ideals. but also mars our image as a country of opportunity. and supplies the Communists with harmful political propaganda. Fourth. The measure would permit the admission of fourthpreference quota immigrants approved by the Attorney General prior to July 1. 1957. without reference to quota. This group would consist of thousands of brothers. sisters. and married sons or daughters of U.S. citizens. including their accompanying spouses and children. Closely related to our immigration policy is the refugeeescapee problem. In the face of world tensions and political oppression. attention is focusing once again on this area. We cannot afford to have a person risk flight from behind the Iron Curtain or other dictatorial government. only to find that the free world will provide no haven for him. Such a situation would end in complete disillusionment with democracy. and would threaten the preservation of our democratic principles. S. 552 would help refugees. displaced persons. and escapees fleeing from various forms of tyranny and persecution. by authorizing the issuance of 40.000 special nonquota immigrant visas to these persons. This is a modest figure. when considered in the light of the great number of people throughout the world who already have fled from their native countries. for various reasons. and are now seeking refuge in the United States. We must remember that our immigration policy constitutes an essential part of our diplomacy. If we are to accept leadership responsibilities in the worlds struggle for peace and freedom. we must adjust our immigration laws to the condition of the world today and tomorrow and to our place and role in that world. Our hands must not be tied to outmoded and inequitable immigration policies. We are capable of absorbing more newcomers than is permitted under present statutes. and we should do so. Modernization of our immigration system will demonstrate to other nations. especially to the new and underdeveloped countries with whom we wish to maintain good relationships. our sincerity and responsibility. Failure to act would in the long run result in a weakening of our foreign relations and a decline in our domestic. economic. and social wellbeing. Mr. President. America owes a great deal to its immigrants. They have helped shape our politics. economics. and culture. Many are now playing a key role in our scientific and national defense efforts. An important service can be performed by reuniting longseparated American families with their children and relatives abroad. many of whom are enduring severe economic hardship. and by helping others yearning to begin a new way of life in our land of opportunity. I can think of nothing more gratifying than brightening the lives of these thousands of American families and helping the homeless and oppressed. through a revamping of our immigration laws. Therefore. I hope we shall return to the next session prepared to modernize our restrictive immigration system and to establish an equitable and realistic program consistent with our heritage of respect for freedom and individual dignity.