Speech #900275349

Mr. Speaker. today. July 1. for the first time. our Nation will impose a numerical limit on immigration to this country from other nations in the Western Hemisphere. As a longtime supporter of free immigration from these friendly nations. I opposed the change in our historic policy of putting no barriers on immigration. We have had a special relationship with the nations of the Western Hemisphere. and imposing on them such a quota is. in my opinion. a sad mistake. Nonetheless. Mr. Speaker. Congress did choose to say that as of July 1. only 120.000 immigrants from the Western Hemisphere will be admitted each year. This provision was included in the Immigration Reform Act of 1965. Like it or not. I must accept this policy. On the other hand. Mr. Speaker. we do not have to accept the policy that immigrants from Cubawho are essentially political refugeeswill be counted in the overall quota. The Select Commission on Western Hemisphere Immigration recently pointed out that Cubans are currently being admitted at the rate of about 40.000 a year. Thus. counting the Cubans seeking freedom will reduce the quota of other Western Hemisphere immigration by onethird. We cannot allow this to happen. When Congress was considering the immigration act it did not know that the flow of Cuban refugees would reach its present large extent. Consequently. it did not allow for such a number when deciding on the quota for all nations which would be allowed. I might add that we were assured prior to passage of the bill that Cubans would not be counted. Certainly we do not wish to deny the privilege of freedom to those who desire it strongly enough to leave their native country for our own Nation. Neither do we wish to restrict immigration from other Western Hemisphere nations by fully onethird of the quota. Accordingly. I am introducing today legislation which would provide that Cuban immigrants be admitted without being charged to the quota. This bill is recommended by the Select Commission on Western Hemisphere Immigration. and I believe it deserves serious consideration by the Congress. MEDICARE