Speech #890064348

That record speaks for itself. . This appropriation for the joint committee. recommended by this committee. involves one very fundamental and overriding issue. That issue is whether Congress shall exercise control over policy which regulates immigration into the United States. That is the question now before the Members of the House. The statutory duties of the joint committee are defined in section 401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Briefly stated. those duties are "to make a continuing study of. first. the administration of the immigration laws and its effect on the national security. the economy. and social welfare of the United States. and. second. such conditions within or without the United States which in the opinion of the committee might have any bearing on the immigration and nationality policy of the United States." There is no disagreement about the responsibility reposing upon Congress to discharge these statutory functions. Secretary of State Dean Rusk and former Attorney General ROBERT KENNEDY. in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality. given during the hearings of 1964. have both reaffirmed the exclusive authority of Congress in this vital area of national policy. Quoted statements from both Cabinet members on this issue will be found on pages 660 and 661 of the report on hearings before the Subcommittee on Legislative Appropriations. The passage of reform immigration legislation during this session of Congress--which I am confident will be donewill in no way diminish the need for the work of the joint committee. If anything. passage of such legislation would increase the need for that work. The major tasks before the joint committee in the year ahead are: First. A thorough study and review of all nonquota provisions of law. particularly the present and future outcomes of nonquota immigration from the independent countries of the Western Hemisphere. Second. A study of advisory opinions of the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs. Department of State. to determine whether this administrative practice is setting policy which is not authorized by law or covered by expressed congressional intent. Third. A study of the education exchange program to determine whether that program is being used as a subterfuge by people to gain immigrant status and benefits. Fourth. A complete study of nonimmigrant worker classes. in light of the current needs of the United States.