I think not. For these efforts stop far short of a stable and permanent policy to which the people of this Nation can point with pride and accomplishment. A brushfire approach to immigration and refugee problems does not satisfy the requirements of a useful immigration policy. The national origins quota system is widely and unfavorably known. The temporary exceptions which modify it beyond recognition. and make. it contemporarily workable. are not known. Thus America suffers needless stigma abroad. which blemishes the leadership we claim is ours. which hampers our relations with other countries. The pending legislation sets the record straight by updating our basic statute to conform more fully with our actual practice in the last several years. Mr. President. the national origins quota system was conceived in a.radical period of our history--a period of bigotry and prejudice. Thirty years later the system was reaffirmedagain in an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. A measure of greatness for any nation is its ability to recognize past errors in policy. and its willingness to reform.
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immigration refugee national origins quota