Speech #890120781

Mr. Chairman. I should like to express my support for H.R. 2580. the pending bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. The major change that would be enacted by this bill is the repeal of the national origins quota system which has been the dominant theme of our immigration policy for more than 40 years. The national origins quota system was enacted in an atmosphere of isolationism and suspicion of foreign influence which approached hysteria. It was a bad law when it was enacted and it has become a worse law over the intervening years not only because of its inherent discrimination but because with every passing year it has proven itself to be unworkable and ineffectual. In recent years the quota has controlled only onethird of the immigration admitted into the country. Numerous laws have been adopted to circumvent its unrealistic strictures. including legislation for refugees and the reunification of families. The pending bill takes cognizance of these shortcomings in the present system and would replace it with a system of immigration selection that will foster the unification of families and allow skilled and talented "#nmigrants to enter the country. without regard to the place of their birth. These purposes are eminently more in keeping with our national ideals and traditions. The bill would not increase immigration sharply. It is estimated that an increase of approximately 20 percent over current figures would result. The bill also recognizes the interests of the American workers. and actually increases the safeguards of those workers against the potential dangers of job competition and deterioration of wages and working conditions resulting from immigration. The bill is reasonable and sound in my opinion and has my complete support.