This measure would also emphasize our interest in perpetuating and enriching the spiritual doctrines we have embraced throughout our national life of affording a haven and refuge for the oppressed. the persecuted. and the lowly within the boundaries of our Nation. Such a measure would be cordially received. not only at home. but abroad. where the people of many nations. nationalities. and races are observing us with a critical eye to ascertain whether we really mean what we say when we talk about America being the land of freedom. equality. and opportunity. and a place where people are treated equally under the law. and given the benefit of constitutional safeguards. equal privileges. and entitlements that have meant so much to our Nation and the world. It is believed by agreat many Americans that the national origin system is unfair. unworkable. and discriminatory in its operation. Notwithstanding that fact. if we accept it as many do. it remains that my bill leaves undisturbed the present overall immigration quota totals. On the other hand. the bill seeks to redistribute some 60.000 or more. unused quota numbers. which are lost each year through lack of applicants in certain countries among countries where long quota waiting lists and heartbreaking delays exist. and where the quotas are generally heavily oversubscribed. The bill has its proper safeguards in that it would permit the Government over a 5year period to recapture from any of the affected countries. quota numbers which were redistributed to other nations and which would be lost forever if not used under present immigration laws. I assert with ample justification. I believe. that my bill would correct certain inequities arising from the act. which provides such small quotas from such countries as Italy and Greece as well as several other countries.
Keywords matched
immigration national origin system