Evening star., 1925-06-27
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

they depart. they are then recorded,
not as farmers, but according to their
trades In America. The result is mis-
Leading. in that it indicates a greater
influx of farmers than is correct and
lesser outEo of those immigra MT
farmers. The assumption then that
european farmers are here to stay as
farmers, Is erroneous. for they may
never nave been farmers in America
The new law seems to be working
to the satisfaction of the Immigration
Bureau. and 1t is contradicted that
there will be radical changes urged
by Secretary Davis Of the Department
of Labor in the next session of Con.
gress. 1t has long been the Secre-
tarys hope to establish means of
checklng the proposed immieran nts
before they leave their own countries
thereby saving the undesirables the
tragedy of,a fruitless voyage only to
be turned back at the portals of the
forbidden country.
The tragedies which under the old
laws separated many husbands and
wives or parents and children at our
ports because the quota was exhaust
ed and only part of family could be
admitted are not SO common under
the present law. Some pathetic Incl
dents. however, seem still to be un-
avofdable. Preference is given at all
ports Of departure to relatives of alien
citizens already in America, so as to
encourage the reunions of families
wives OF American citizens are ad-
mltted without reference to the
quotas.
A few days ago, however. a bus-
band and wife were separated in New
York and the wife, aged 60 years. was
returned to Europe. while her hus-
band, of the same threescore years.
was admitted. The separation will
doubtless be for life. 1t was found
that the woman was afflicted with a
disease classed as contagious, and the
law made it mandatory to debar her
from admission. The husband could
visa. and although officials urged that
he. too. go back, he stood on his legal
rights and insisted upon entry. The
mother returned alone to rejoin their
two daughters, who have been wait
ing two years at q European port
seeking visas.
+ X X y
While it is not likely that the De-
partment of Labor will propose great
changes in the law at next session of
Congress, other interests are not SO
quiescent. Secretary Davis has IA
vored special elasticity in admitting
farmers, but, as pointed out above, the
fact that peasant was farmer in
the old country gives no assurance
that he will be one here, hence the
clause proposed would have to be safe
guarded against imposition.
Aliens may be required to register
In their home countries before getting
visas, SO that they may be traced to
their origins, in case of dispute as to
their nationalities. After 1927 the to-
tai number to be admitted annually
will be restricted under provisions of
the present law to 100000. The net
immigration last year was only a lit
tie above that limit, for, with total
incoming of 242.965, there were 1858
departures. The previous year gave
us 637, 500 alien arrivals. In the 10
months since last July there came in
a total of non-quota immigrants mot
chargeable to the quota), 253,635. This
class includes the families of American
citizens, residents of Canada and other
countries of the Western Hemisphere
ministers of churches and professors
of colleges with their families and stu
dents.
lCopyright, 1879. py Paul Y. CoiIIns.)