Speech #890120696

Large waiting lists built up in countries like Greece and Italy. but by statute. there was no way to take into account the value of individuals on these lists. Meanwhile. the ugly shadow of racial discrimination lay over our laws. for all the world to see. I say with confidence that only good will come to the United States from sweeping away the national origins quota system. Our action is already late. It will. at last. represent a return to our earlier idealism. At the same time. it will bring important practical benefits to our society. Under the new immigration system. immigrants will be selected not on the basis of their race but primarily on their family relationship to American citizens and on the talents and skills that they possess. A total of 170.000 immigrantsapart from those in special categoriesare henceforth to be admitted each year. with no country to be allowed more than 20.000 immigrants. The new system permits us to reunite families and to encourage the coming of men and women who will be assets to our economic and cultural life. Let me describe briefly the humane aspects of the measure before us.