Speaker. the American people are not immoral. but we are human. How many of the more than 200 million men. women. and children living in this country would be citizens if they had to apply under such a questionnaire? This insulting and. perhaps. unconstitutional procedure for naturalization is the reason why nearly 4 million registered aliens live in the United States on a permanent basis. but do not apply for citizenship. They would like to become citizensthey are already paying taxes. contributing their labor and energy. and coping with the same problems that Amercian citizens dobut they will not submit to the indignities of form N400. Form N400. which is based on section 101(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. is a throwback to an earlier selfrighteous and discriminatory era. It implies that those who wish to become citizens of this Nation must meet a higher moral and ethical standard than anyone else. including those who are already American citizens. It must he changed. Today I am introducing legislation to amend section 101(f). The new section 101(f) will provide just three grounds for questioning the moral character of an applicant for naturalization: A conviction of murder. trafficking in dangerous narcotics. and willful. knowing violation of the immigration laws. I have no doubt that this new section would provide ample protection for our Nation against those who would do her harm from within. while at the same time protecting the basic human dignity of those who wish to become American citizens. Being an American citizen is a pleasure and a privilege.
Identified stereotypes
Implying that those who wish to become citizens must meet a higher moral and ethical standard than anyone else.