Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07
IMMIGRATION LAW
Island Possessions Under
Treasury's Jurisdiction.
ABSTRACT Ws THE ACT
DEFINITION ANb EXCLUSION OF
Anarchists.
Who Contract Laborers Are = Addi-
tional Questions Asked-Punish-
ment for Smuggling Passengers.

The Treasury Department has suddenly
found out that the new immigration law
which was signed by the President the day
before Congress adjourned places the Phil
ippine Islands, Guam, Porto Rico, Hawaii
and all other island possessions Of the
United States under the jurisdiction of the
immigration bureau. The section which
makes this extension reads:
That for the purposes of this act the
words United States as used in the title
as well as in the various sections of this
act, shall be construed to mean the United
States and any waters, territory or other
place now subject to the jurisdiction there
Of"
The immigra ton bureau has not hereto
fore had this Jurisdiction, and it was not the
intention to make the extension, SO far as
the department was concerned, at this time.
The effect OF the section In question has not
been considered to the extent Of having the
matter passed upon by the legal authority
Of the department, but this action will I'M
doubleday be taken at once.
Just what changes the new immigration
law makes has interested President Roose-
welt to the extent of calling for an abstract
from the department on this subject. This
abstract has been completed and sent to the
White House. 1t makes no construction OF
the law, but simply points out changes in
existing law made by the new act. The
Increase in Head Tax.
The head tax is increased from 81 to S.
Citizens OF the republic of Cuba, of Mexico
and of Canada are exempted from paying
this head tax. Aliens in transit through
the United States, or who have once been
admitted to the United States and have paid
the head tax, and who later go in transit
from one part Of the United States to an
other through foreign territory, are ex-
empt from repayment Of the head tax. The
increase in the head tax was put into effect
yesterday by an order from the department.
Aliens Excluded.
There are added to the class of aliens
heretofore excluded from admission to the
United States the following: Epileptics,
persons who have been insane within five
years previous to landing persons who have
had two or more attacks Of insanity at any
time previously, professional beggars an
archists or persons who believe in or ad-
vocate the overthrow Of government, in
Guiding the assassination of government
officials; persons who procure or attempt to
bring in women for purposes Of prostitution.
Skilled labor may bye imported if labor Of
like kind unemployed cannot be found in
this country. The provisions of law ap-
plfcable to contract labor are not to in
clude professional actors, artists, lecturers,
singers, ministers Of any religious denomi-
nation, professors for, colleges or semi
naries, persons belonging to any recog-
nized learned profession or persons employ
ed strictly as personal or domestic ser
wants. halt p
The importation Of women or girls for
purposes of prostitution is declared by sec
ton of the law to be- q felony punishable
than five years, and by a fine Of not ex-
ceedng 5000. This is an increase in both
fine and imprisonment clauses over the old
law. So.
Alien Contract Laborers.
The definition of "alien contract labor
ers' is enlarged to include not only those
as at present, who come under contract or
agreement, but as well those who come
under pursuance OF any offer or solicitation
to perform not only labor "of any kind" as
described in the old law, but added to this
are the words skilled or unskilled." These
same engagements of definitions extend to
all other provisions relating to 'alien con-
tract laborers" The old law is amended
so that a person suing any company,
ETC., who assist or encourage the importa-
ton Of contract labor may bring suit in
his own name for recovery or penalty.
The new law makes 1t violation of law
to promise employment In this country
through advertisements in foreign publica-
lions.
the offense of attempting to land an
alien unlawfully In the United states pun
ishable by fine and imprisonment for a
maximum of three years instead OF one
wear: and the minimum two years instead
of one wear. A fine Of 500 is to be imposed
by the Secretary of the Treasury upon any
person bringing to the United states an amen
afflicted with loathsome or dangerous
contagious disease, If the existence OF such
disease might have been hrst detected oy
medical examination at the port OF Foreign
embarkation. Clearance papers snail not
he granted to the vessel bringing such dis-
eased person to the United States until the
fine imposed shall have been paid
The decision of the board of special in
curry "a made final as to the exclusion OF
aliens afflicted with mental or pnyslcai ais-
ability A provision requires Vesseis Drlns-
ing an alien who shall pc denled a aIs;t,
such alien being in the charge or another
oIien to return both to the port OF en-
barkation.
Additional Questions Asked.
There ia added to the list of questions now
prescribed by law to be placed at the head
Of the list or manifest OF arriving aliens the
following. Race; whether going to join a
relative or friend, and If so, what relative
ar friend, and the latter's name and COM
nlete address; whether ever an inmate OF
an institution or hospital TOT the care OF ins
insane: whether an anarchist; II crlppieu
or reformed, for how long. Instead OF In
curing whether each alien has $3O ana
how much IL $50 or less, the new act re-
nuires information as to whether each alien
has $40. and If less how much.
The old law is changed i'm regard to the
oath required Of the commander OF YES
sci bringing in aliens by recurring the oath
to be taken before an Immigration officer at
the port of arrival. instead of before a con-
sular officer at the. port. of embarkation
Medical oficers Of vessels are also required
to make their oath at the port OF arrival In
stead OF the port Of ,embarkation
1t is specifically provided that the tenn
porary removal Of Aliens from ia vessel for
examination or inspection, shall not be con-
sidered landing, and shall not relieve the
transportation company. from any of the
obligations imposed. However, where suit
able buildings are III. use for the detention
of aliens during examinat ton, the transpor-
tation company shaft not, be held respon-
sible For their safekeepfng while SO de-
tanned or until returned to the ship.
The physical and medical examination of
aliens is to be made by officers of the United
States marine hospital Service. and no med
ical officer shall beieligfble for such duty
until he has had at least two years actual
practice since receiving his degree of doc
tor of medicine.
For Smuggling Immigrants.
A fine Of from 500 to 81, 600 and imprison-
ment for not exceeding one year is provided