Speech #880069048

Mr. Speaker. today I have introduced the adminisCIX- 837 trations new proposals to revise the immigration laws. A revision of our immigration policy is long overdue. I believe that President Kennedys proposals represent a giant step forward in the creation of a sensible and humane immigration policy. From the beginning of our history our country was looked upon by the oppressed throughout the world as a haven of freedomas a land where all men could develop their potentialities in a free democratic society. However. after World War I. fear. hysteria. and anxiety gripped our land. and a wave of xenophobia swept over the country. As a result a highly restrictive immigration policy based on the 1920 census was instituted. That policy is still with us today and is discriminatory and unrealistic. As long as racial and national origin discrimination remains enshrined in the immigration laws. those laws constitute an affront to our democratic principles. The legislation I have introduced today will go a long way toward the creation of an immigration policy which is consonant with our traditions and beliefs. Under this bill the results of the 1920 census will no longer shape our immigration policy. The bill abolishes the invidious national origin quota system over a 5year period. It also deals intelligently with the backlog of applications built up over the years in a number of our consulates abroad by providing for the administration of those on the waiting list during the transitional period and by weeding out those who are not serious applicants and who have registered only so that. if they should ever wish to come to the United States. they could do so without waiting. The bill will serve the national interest by permitting the admission on a preferential basis of those whose skills would be advantageous to the economy. without the necessity of first persuading an individual employer to hire a particular employee sight unseen. The bill will simplify the administration of the immigration laws in many areas. The bill will end discrimination against the newer nations In the Western Hemisphere whose citizens are now bound by minimum quotas. whereas the citizens of other nations in the same geographic area are entitled to nonquota admission. Mr. Speaker. the legislation proposed will not solve all problems in the immigration area. However. its passage will be a significant step in the right direction. I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation and hope that it will receive approval in the very near future.