Speech #890120688

However unfair this may be. it is not the most unfair and inhumane aspect of the present system of national origins. The worst aspect of this system is the fact that it often prohibits the reuniting of families. Though Congress has been most generous and sympathetic in enacting special legislation to correct these problems. the fact remains that the immigration policy of the United States creates human pressures and personal * hardships which need not be created. Under the present system. mothers are separated from children and husbands are separated from wives. all because we refuse to abolish our archaic quota restrictions on immigration. H.R. 2580 will correct both of these injustices. It will eliminate the discriminatory national origins system by June 30. 1968. In its place a new preference system will be created which will both reunite separated families and make possible increased admittance of those who can contribute to the U.S. economic and cultural interests. The proposed legislation places a ceiling of 170.000 on the number of immigrants to be admitted to the United States In any 1 given year. Excluded from this total figure are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. and natives of independent Western Hemisphere nations. It also establishes an order of preference priorities within the 170.000 limitation. These priorities are designed to bring other relatives of U.S. citizens to this country. and to insure that there will never be a shortage bf professional men. scientists. and artists in America. Thus. H.R. 2580 serves the dual purpose of reuniting separated families. and making possible the immigration of needed skilled persons to our Nation. This new selection system will operate on a firstcome. firstserved basis within the respective preference categories. No regard will be given to place of birth. although no country will be allowed more than 20.000 immigrants in any 1 year in order to prevent an unreasonable number of persons from one foreign state. Finally. the new bill will repeal the discriminatory AsiaPacific triangle provision of the present law. It is important to note that this new law will not open the floodgates of immigration as charged by opponents of the bill. The new limitation on admissions means an increase of only about 2.000 persons over the presently authorized annual total. I should point out also that H.R. 2580 has been designed to protect the status of the American worker and the national economy. Under this law responsibility will be placed upon the Intending immigrant to obtain clearance from the Secretary of Labor prior to issuance of a visa. The Secretary would. of course. clear no one who would be likely to displace a qualified American worker or whose employment in this country would adversely affect the wages and working conditions of persons similarly employed in the United States. During the 12 years which have elapsed since President Truman called upon the public conscience to demand a fair immigration policy. the suffering of those separated from their loved ones. suppressed politically. intellectually. and spiritually. oppressed economically and socially. has not been abated. At the same time. the country has sorely missed the contributions which many who were denied entrance might have made. The continued development and greatness of our Nation depends heavily on the decisions we make today. This country has taken to its shores the abandoned and the oppressed of many nations in years past. These immigrants have made their contributions to our culture and our industrial and economic progr ress. Many of them have gone on to lead our Nation in its times of crisis. It is. indeed. the diversity of origin. the intel* lectual and cultural exchange. that constitutes our strength.