Speech #890119631

It might be well to say at this point that during all of the years that we have had restrictive immigration under the Johnson Act and the WalterMeCarran Act since 1924. we have never put a ceiling on immigration from the Western Hemisphere. The current bill continues that opendoor policy with reference to the Western Hemisphere. Secondly. there should be no fear on the part of anyone that there would be a tremendous influx from the Western Hemisphere. The average intake from the Western Hemisphere has been. in the last 10 years. about 110.000. But. as the gentleman says. there are qualitative restrictions. Immigrants must. as under the present law. satisfy the provision that they will not become public charges and secondly. in each instance. in every sing!e instance there must be issued by the Secretary of Labor a certificate to the effect that as to the person coming from the Western Hemisphere. his coming will not have the effect of depressing wages or adversely affecting the conditions of employment. The consular agent may not issue a visa until and unless the individual who seeks to come into this country assumes the burden of getting that certificate from the Secretary of Labor. And finally there is in the bill itselfand I think the gentleman from Ohio is responsible for it and deserves great credit for itthe provision that if during any 5year period there is an indication that the intake of immigrants from the Western Hemisphere is more than 10 percent above the average over 5 years. there shall be a notification sent to Congress. and the Congress may take whatever suitable action it may see fit to take with reference to the situation.