Speech #890120776

What is required is an admission policy based on need and talent which will allow a fairer distribution of people to come to this Nation where traditionally neither name nor birth is a deterrent to free development and success. Equality of opportunity has been part of the American tradition since the pilgrims landed in Massachusetts. The millions of immigrants who have come to our land have worked together as Americans to forge a great nation. The skills and intelligence as well as the hard work of all people have been used to raise our cities. push our roads and railroads coast to coast. write our laws. found our schools. develop our industries. grow our foods. and provide us with music. art. and drama to enjoy when we lay down the plow and rest the pick. The new immigration bill would repeal the national origins quota system as of July 1. 1968. and substitute an annual numerical limit of 170.000 to be distributed on the following basis: 20 percent for unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens. 20 percent for immediate relatives of aliens admitted to permanent residence. 10 percent for artists and professional persons. 10 percent for married children of U.S. citizens. 24 percent for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. 10 percent for persons with skills needed in the United States. 6 percent for political refugees. All unused visas would be distributed on a firstcome. firstserve basis. The bill places a ceiling of 20.000 immigrants from any single country exclusive of nations in the Western Hemisphere. and spouses. parents. and minor children of U.S. citizens. who are exempt from any numerical limit. Before the proposed bill goes into effect in 1968. it authorizes the use of about 50.000 unused national quotas as a pool to which applicants from countries with oversubscribed quotas can apply. The issue of immigration and nationality involves not all Americans. By liberalizing our immigration law. we can bring our immigration policy out of contradiction and into compatibility with the philosophy that has made and that is Americaequality of opportunity for all its citizens.