Speech #880164175

Mr. Speaker. I was informed a few minutes ago by Secretary of State Dean Rusk that his Department had reviewed the case of Richard Burton. and had uncovered no information which would warrant a finding of ineligibility or revocation of Burtons visa. I disagree with this finding by the Department of State. It is shocking and runs contrary to the clear intent of Congress and the facts in this case. The authority by law vested in the Department of State with regard to issuance or revocation of a visa is clear and unencumbered. To confuse this authority with the redtape of administrative determinations and advisory opinions. as the Secretary of State has done. indicates the need for a complete congressional review of all procedures and regulations of the Department of State relating to visa issuance. I point out that the Department of State is dutybound to resolve all doubts in a visa case in favor of the Government of the United States. If there are no doubts about moral turpitude in the Burton case. either millions of Americans have been misled by the press or the basic concept of morality has been drained from the State Department. The flood of letters and telegrams reaching my office since the Burton visa issuance became public leaves no doubt in my mind that the people of our country are thoroughly aroused by this issue. They are registering 40 to 1 for revocation of the visa. Basic morality is not dead in the United Stateseven if it is dead in the State Department. It is now up to Congress to make certain that the laws and congressional intent thereon are not reduced to a state of paralyzed absurdity. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has posted a lookout for Richard Burton and he will be subjected to an examination on the question of his admissibility to the United States. I shall continue my effort to restore a sense of rational judgment in the administration of the immigration laws. In an effort to be helpful to Secretary of State Dean Rusk. I wrote him a letter on February 7. 1964. which was delivered by hand hat morning. setting forth in concise form the legal and moral issues involved in the Richard Burton case.