Speech #880078508

The purpose of Public Law 78 is to provide an orderly method of supplying needed agricultural workers. subject to adequate safeguards. and with due regard for the interests of Mexico. Without it the workers could still come in. but their entry would be subject to less regulation and there would be less protection for the domestic workers. The table on page 47 of the hearings in the House. which was submitted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. shows that during the fiscal year ending June 30. 195112 days before the enactment of Public Law 78 on July 12. 1951115.742 Mexican agricultural workers were admitted legally and 500.628 Mexican aliens were located in an illegal status. a total of 616.370. For the fiscal year ending June 30. 1962. 282.556 were admitted legally and only 30.272 were located in an illegal status. a total of 312.828. The representative of the Immigration Service at page 48 of the House hearings attributed the drop in illegal entrants to a strong enforcement program. the fact that the workers are made available on a legal basis to the employers who wish to use them. and possibly other factors. The method by which Mexican workers might be brought into the United States legally under sections 214 and 101 (a) (15) (H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in the absence of Public Law 78 is explained at page 49 of the House hearings. I emphasize that point because so many people mistakenly think that the only way Mexican laborers can get into this country to till farms is under this act. Public Law 78. whereas. quite to the contrary. other less desirable acts are available under which Mexican laborers can come into this country and under which they would have nothing like the protection that they. the country. or the producers who use them have under Public Law 78.