Speech #890138271

In the case of these aliens they will be quota free for the next 3 years while all other aliens from other parts of the world. other than immediate relatives. will be subject to a number of limitations. Second. we find that there is a category of aliens designated as immediate relatives who include the children. spouses. and parents of citizens of the United States who will not be subject to the numerical limitations applicable to other aliens. Third. we find that the bill establishes a system of 7 preferences within the numerical limitation of 170.000 with fixed percentage allocations to each preference category which. in effect. establishes priorities among the group as between persons with definite family relationships. persons with definite skills and persons who are in a refugee status. Fourth. a numerical limitation of 20.000 per year is fixed for any foreign state. but that limitation is not applicable for 3 years if it reduces the present quota of any quota area. It is difficult for me to see. Mr. President. how anyone could possibly have written so many discriminatory provisions in one section of a law under the expressed policy of eliminating discrimination in the allocation of quota or visa numbers. But. Mr. President. if one should feel that perhaps there must be a certain degree of discrimination in any law. let us look further at this particular proposal and you will be amazed at the instances of discrimination that appear throughout it. There is a provision designed to strengthen the protection of the American worker from an influx of skilled or unskilled workers from abroad. Under that proposal the intending immigrant must present a certification from the Secretary of Labor that he will not displace an American worker and that his employment will not adversely affect the wages of American workers. In order for this provision to be nondiscriminatory one would immediately assume that it would be applicable in the case of all immigrants. But such is not the case. The drafters of this proposal well know that such a policy would create many more problems than it would solve. So we find that the bill contains a complicated system of exemptions from the provision. Specifically. the provision only applies to natives of Western Hemisphere countries other than parents. spouses or children of citizens of the United States or lawful resident aliens. to members of the professions. arts. and sciences. skilled or unskilled workers. and most nonpreference immigrants. In other words. it will probably not be applicable in as many cases as it will be applicable. Let us look at the different manner of application to different groups of aliens: First.