Speaker. I wish to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from New York . The 1965 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act were a long step forward toward a more fair and equitable Immigration policy. The 1965 act provided that the cherished gift of a new life in the United States was no longer to be offered on the basis of where a man was born. but rather on the basis of what skills he could perform or whether he needed to be reunited with his family. That basis seemed just to the Congress. and the 1965 act passed overwhelmingly. What we did not anticipate was a new. hidden. national origin bias. based on social immigration characteristics. By allotting 74 percent of the available places to relatives of American citizens and resident aliens. we favored certain countries where the practice is for entire families to emigrate. By writing Into the act a rigid labor certification requirement. we blocked a large portion of immigration from countries which have traditionally sent unskilled young men seeking a better life in America. One country which stands to have its traditional level of immigration drastically reduced is Ireland. Immigration from Ireland has already dropped from an annual average of over 7.000 to less than 2.000 in 1967. When the provisions of the 1965 act are fully in effect after June 1968. it will decrease further. H.R. 16593. which I have cosponsored. would provide that no country could have its immigration involuntarily reduced below threefourths of the average level prior to the 1965 amendments. Countries whose immigration level has been improved by the 1965 act will not be affected. I believe that this provision will be fair to all countries. and will protect potential immigrants from countries whose relative position was hurt by the 1965 amendments. I hope the Congress will act promptly to remedy an unforeseen injustice by adopting H.R. 16593.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigration immigrants emigrate