Speech #930120960

Furthermore. efforts have been consistently made to promote freedom of travel across our contiguous borders. In short. there are numerous cultural. social and economic ties between our countries and we cannot disregard that our relationship with Canada and Mexico is. in fact. "unique." Over the years. the United States has made continuous efforts to develop special patterns of cooperation and understanding with our contiguous neighbors and these patterns have been mutually beneficial in promoting friendly foreign relations. Certainly we must not fail to take into account the effect of our immigration policies on our foreign relations with other countries. In some historical context unjustifiable discrimination in our immigration laws has provoked resentment on the part of foreign countries which has been detrimental to our national interests. For example. the total exclusion of Japanese immigrants in 1924 had a serious impact on our relations with that country. Another example was the sharp reduction in immigration from Italy and other countries of Southern and Eastern Europe which resulted from the national origins quota system established by the 1924 legislation. I might add that it took over four decades to eliminate this repugnant concept and we were all pleased in 1965 when this system was finally eliminated. I do not intend to imply that the provisions contained in H.R. 981. as they affect Canadian and Mexican immigration. present as serious a problem as the 1924 legislation but I must stress the importance of avoiding even the appearance of discrimination against our contiguous neighbors. Since Mexico is the only country in the Western Hemisphere which would be adversely affected by the 20.000 limitation. it is entirely conceivable that the Government of that countryand many MexicanAmericans--might well regard this legislation as an affront to its people. Moreover. since most Mexican immigration is family oriented. a 20.000 limitation would seriously impede the reunification of familieswhich is the primary objective of our immigration laws. In addition to jeopardizing our foreign relations with Mexico. this 50percent reduction in lawful immigration may exacerbate the illegal alien problem which this committee and the Congress have worked so hard to eliminate by the passage of H.R. 982. I might add that the concept of special treatment of Canada and Mexico was supported by the Departments of State and Justice and by almost all of the other witnesses who testified before the subcommittee. In addition. a Special Study Group on Illegal Immigrants from Mexico specifically recommended that "any changes in the system of numerical limitation should be made so as to prevent a significant reduction in the current rate of immigration from Mexico." In order to prevent such a drastic reduction my amendment provides 35.000 visas for each of these countries and I believe the adoption of this amendment will strengthen H.R. 981 and will assure early enactment of this needed legislation.