Speech #880049907

It has supplied farmers with workers that were not available from the labor force of the United States. Experience has shown that most American labor is unwilling to accept seasonable agricultural employment. 2. It has virtually eliminated the wetbacks. illegal aliens who once swarmed across our southern border. It should properly be referred to as the antiwetback bill. This is dramatically illustrated by reports of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. which indicate the tremendous drop in illegal wetback entries since the program has operated. As can be seen from the following table. the number of wetbacks has dropped from 1.075.168 in fiscal year 1954 to only 30.272 in fiscal year 1962: Number of Fiscal year: 1952 -------------------------1954 ........ 1956 -------------------------1958 -------------------------1962 ........ persons 534. 538 875. 318 1.075. 168 242. 608 72.442 44.451 37.242 30. 196 29.651 29.877 30.272 Source: U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service. Washington. D.C.. March 29. 1960Mexican nationals apprehended in the United States in violation of immigration laws by fiscal years. 3. It has benefited Mexican workers and the communities to which they return. by providing employment to such workers that would otherwise not be provided. and at wages many times what they could earn in Mexico. I could continue on in the report. but I believe it is in the RECORD.