This bill. in providing equality of treatment. does so without any increase in the annual maximum numerical ceiling for the admission of aliens. This. to me. is a most significant feature of the bill. I am concerned about the longterm effects of immigration upon this country. This matter was the subject of great concern to the Presidents Commission of Population Growth and the American Future. The Commission report stated: The relative importance of immigration as a component of population growth has increased significantly as declining birth rates diminish the level of natural increase. There was a sharp division of opinion within the Commission on policies regarding the number of immigrants to be admitted to this country. Some favored a gradual decrease in immigration. As the report of the Commission concluded: This group was concerned with the inconsistency of planning for population stabilization for our country and at the same time accepting large numbers of immigrants each year. They were concerned that the filling of many jobs in this country each year by immigrants would have an increasingly unfavorable impact on our own disadvantaged. particularly when unemployment is substantial. Finally. they were concerned because they believe that immigrant does have a considerable impact on United States population growth. making the stabilization objective much more difficult. The Commission majority felt that the present level of immigration should not be increased. I am pleased to say that this bill follows that recommendationproviding for retention of the two existing hemisphere ceilings totalling 270.000 admissions with no increase. I urge prompt passage of H.R. 981. Mr. Chairman. It is a good bill that will improve our immigration system.
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immigrant immigration immigrants