In
“33— Special Message to the Congress on Immigration Matters,” Republican
President Dwight D. Eisenhower urged Congress to abolish the 1921-24
immigration law (and its 1952 amending law). Contrast his message with today’s assault on lawful immigration by extremist Republicans (e.g., Stephen Miller) on our
current system. I pass along four brief highlights (quoting now):
February
8, 1956
The immigration laws presently require aliens to specify race and
ethnic classification in visa applications. These provisions are unnecessary
and should be repealed.
….
A large group of refugees in this country obtained visas by the use
of false identities in order to escape forcible repatriation behind the Iron
Curtain; the number may run into the thousands. Under existing law such
falsification is a mandatory ground for deportation. The law should be amended
to give relief to these unfortunate people.
….
The inequitable provisions relating to Asian
spouses and adopted children should be repealed.
….
Just as the Nation’s interests call for a larger degree of
flexibility in the laws for regulating the flow of other peoples to our shores,
there is at the same time a significant need to strengthen the laws established
for the wholesome purpose of ridding the country of the relatively few aliens
who have demonstrated their unfitness to remain in our midst. Some of these
persons have been found to be criminals of the lowest character, trafficking in
murder, narcotics, and subversion. Constitutional due process wisely confers
upon any alien, whatever the charge, the right to challenge in the courts the
Government's finding of deportability. However, no alien who has once had his
day in court, with full rights of appeal to the higher courts, should be
permitted to block his removal and cause unnecessary expense to the Government
by further judicial appeals the only purpose of which is delay.
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