Speech #910272744

Mr. President. this bill is introduced so that It may serve as a vehicle for the consideration of much needed changes in some portions of the present immigration laws of this country. particularly as they effect the Western Hemisphere. Although I have great faith in the drafters of this bill and am confident that much of the material included in the bill has great merit. I do not endorse the bill sectionbysection at this time as it is a most complicated matter. It will require expert examination and a good deal of study before we can determine in what form and detail it should be adopted. It is my hope that this draft will serve as a springboard for a comprehensive study of our entire immigration procedures. America has been. since its beginnings. a nation which opened its arms to the people of other lands. Immigrants have traveled to our borders for many different purposes. but with one common goal: to find a better life. The past decade has produced tremendous change in America. as in other nations. However in spite of allegations to the contrary by some who dwell within our borders. the United States is still regarded by people all over the world as. a nation which can indeed provide a better life. Because of this steady influx. we found it necessary in 1952 to set up comprehensive rules on immigration which were intended to strike a balance between the needs of this country and those of foreigners who wish to come to America. In 1965. the Congress extensively revised these preferences and exemptions which modify the established quota limitations applicable to the Eastern Hemisphere. At the same time. the Congress provided for the first time a limitation on immigration from the Western Hemisphereone which contained no system of preferences as we have for the Eastern Hemisphere. Mr. President. since July 1. 1968when the Western Hemisphere limitation became effectiveit has become increasingly evident that further reforms of the Immigration and Nationality Act are necessary. with particular regard to the Western Hemisphere. The bill I am introducing today was transmitted by the Department of State with the concurrence of the Department of Justice. and is designed to alleviate many of the difficulties and inequities which now exist in the field of immigration and naturalization. This is a comprehensive bill. the product of extensive experience and study. It would. among other things. apply the identical preference provisions to Eastern and Western Hemisphere quotas. thereby creating a worldwide system compatible with the principles of family unity and national need inherentin our immigration laws. As a further refinement. however. this proposal recognizes the special relationship we have traditionally enjoyed with our contiguous countries. and creates a special.allotment of 35.000 visas each to Canada and Mexico. These numbers would exist outside of any numerical restriction applicable to any other country. and outside the preference system as well. The bill would accomplish further reforms. For example. with regard to refugees. Presently. the seventh preference. which provides for refugee admission. applies only to the Eastern Hemisphere. and in an amount no more than 6 percent of the total hemisphere limitation. Under the proposal. the seventh preference would apply to both hemispheres in an increased amount of 10 percent of the established hemisphere limitations. This increase is in recognition of the fact that these troubled times resulted in an exhaustion of our refugee allocations in fiscal 1969 and 1970 well before the end of those years. We must not disappoint the persecuted and homeless whose sole hope is America. Mr.