Speech #910173503

In December 1967. an informal poll taken by the U.S. Navy indicated the apprehension the islanders felt to reversion to Japanese rule. Many stated they desired to emigrate to the United States or the territories. On April 18. 1968. an executive communication recommending legislation to facilitate the entry of the Bonin Islanders into the United States and its territories was sent to the Congress and bills were introduced in both bodies shortly thereafter. A bill passed the Senate before the island reverted to Japan on The bill before the House today is supported by the Defense. State. and Justice Departments and offers an opportunity to the islanders to come to the United States or its outlying possessions by relaxing certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. They would not be exempted from the classes of aliens who are subject to exclusion or admission because of criminal. immoral. narcotics. or subversive grounds. nor would they be exempted from the provisions which relate to the deportation of aliens excludable at the time of entry or deportable on subversive grounds. The bill waives certain grounds for exclusion such as health. public charge provisions. and exclusionary provisions which could not relate to the subjects since they have not previously resided in the United States. However. it should be stressed that section 241 (a) (1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. which provides for the deportation of any alien who at the time of entry was within one or more of the classes of aliens excludable by law existing at the time of such entry. is specifically not waived and at the time a record of admission of the beneficiaries of this legislation is created they must be found fully qualified. The legislation is necessary because of the oversubscription of the nonpreference numbers and because of the inability of the subjects to acquire preference status. I would like to read part of a letter from Irene Savory Lambert. a descendant of one of the original settlers of the Bonin Islands.