Speech #890120953

No one regards. for example. as discriminatory the special relationship existing between member countries of the Common Market which has manifested itself in many ways. including the free movement of natives among the Common Market member countries. Similarly. no one. to my knowledge. regards the favored position of the natives of the Western Hemisphere to immigrate to the United States as discriminatory aginst the rest of the world. The MacGregor proposal states that the most compelling reason for imposition of a numerical ceiling on Western Hemisphere immigration after not having done so In 40 years. is the worldwide population explosion and the "possibility of a sharp increase In immigration from the Western Hemisphere countries." The qualitative restrictions applicable to all Intending immigrants. which will remain in the law. together with the administrative controls available both to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor to cope with any appreciable increase in immigration from this hemisphere which might adversely affect the interests of American labor. have stabilized immigration from the Western Hemisphere over the last 10 years to an annual average of 110.000. These builtin safeguards have been reinforced by the exercise of the authority of our consuls abroad to refuse a visa on grounds that the applicant is likely to become a public charge. Experience has amply demonstrated that these provisions have and will continue to be effective In protecting our economic interests. I should emphasize that section 11(d) of the bill affords an additional safeguard. The President will report to us if there is a marked change in Western Hemisphere immigration and send us his recommendations so that we can be fully informed and take whatever actions the Congress deems necessary. The imposition of a ceiling on Western Hemisphere immigration Is not necessary and would not help us attain our foreign policy objectives which require closer cooperation with our sister republics and continued manifestation of our mutuality of interest. And. finally. Mr. Chairman. there are sufficient safeguards in the pending bill to prevent any great avalanche of immigrants into the United States. Mr. Chairman. the Imposition of the ceiling on the Western Hemisphere Is not necessary and it will not help us with our foreign policy objectives which require closer cooperation with our sister republics and continued manifestation of our mutuality of interests.