At this time. I would hesitate to support any kind of amendment which would alter the basic formula of the 170.000 figure. I might mention to the Senator from South Carolina that the number of immigrants who came into this country in 1924. when this legislation first established the national origins system. represented sixtenths of 1 percent of the U.S. population. In 1964. the number of immigrants coming into this country in relation to the population was only onetenth of 1 percent. Therefore. I believe. as related to the total population. that the total number of immigrants has been decreasing. I would expect. with the ceilings which have been established for the 170.000. and the other restrictions which have been applied. that the percentage would constantly decreasethat is. that the number of people who will come in as immigrants compared to the total population of the United States will constantly decrease In the years ahead. I hope that this explanation will be of some interest to the Senator from South Carolina. but at this time I would hesitate to consider any change in the total figure of 170.000.
Keywords matched
national origins system immigrants