Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18

immigrant group which by deed or
thought does not subscribe heartily to
all those standards
Because of the many physical diff
cultieS that beset us by reason of our
extensive boundaries and the number
of our ports of entry, there are many
aliens who are in this country illegally
Just how many there may be of this
class. it is hard to enumerate.
Accurate information is so limited
that any statement which essays to
show the number of aliens who are now
unlawfully resident here must neceSsar-
lily be largely conjectural.
Our first numerical restrictive i'm
migration law was enacted in the year
1921. Prior to that year there were
few incentives for European aliens to
seek entry into the United States in
violation of law, and, therefore, dur
ing this period those who deliberately
entered the country in an unlawful
manner were for the most part limited
to the diseased, illiterate, and the
criminal and immoral classes, who could
not gain lawful admission 1t is a
known fact, Of course, that many Of
these classes succeeded in entering the
country during this period, and I'M
doubtedly some are still here.
Canada and Mexico.
A materially different situation existed
with respect to the entry of residents
of Canada and Mexico during this same
period. Prior to the year 1907 the i'm
migration regulations provided that no
record should be made of Canadians
and MeXicans entering the country ex-
cept in certain limited classes of cases.
During the continuation of these regu-
lations an unknown but very large
number of immigrants entered from
both of these countries. And even be-
tween the years 1907 and 1921 the land
boundaries between the United States
and Canada and Mexico we're virtually
making it easy for aliens
in these countries to cross our borders
without inspection. Obviously, it is i'm
possible even to estimate the number
OF such entries, or to determine how
many Of them are still in the United
States.
AT the time the quota limit act of
1921 went into effect it was a we'll
known fact that there were several mil
lion prospective immigrants in Euro
pean countries desiring to come to the
United States, and very naturally the
numerical restriction imposed by that
law created a strong incentive to il
legal entry. During the period between
June, 1921, and July /, 1924, while the
first quota limit act was in effect, a
large but unknown number gained sur
reptitious entry over the land borders
and from Cuba by way of Florida and
other States bordering on the Gulf of
Mexico, and as stowaways and desert
ing seamen at our Seaports. Between
the year 1907 and 1921 the total num-
Der OF Seamen recorded as deserving
their ships in American ports was 145,-
492, an average Of $500 per year. Be-
tween 1921 and 1924 this annual aver
age increased to 1882. This is only
one indication that many thousands of
persons reSorted to unlawful means of
effecting entry.
Another fact to be borne in mind Is
that a large number of those who en-
tered the country surreptitiously during
the three years above named were Eu-
posed practically no restriction on i'm
migration from Canada and Mexico.
Unlawful Entrances Cut.
July l, 1924, an even more restric-
tive quota act was enacted by Con-
greSs, and, while it is impossible to
make a satisfactory estimate of the
country unlawfully during the last six
years, yet it is certain that the annual
number was not nearly so great as pre-
viously; this for the reason that a high
ly efficient immigration border patrol
has been on guard at the land borders,
also In Florida, and at strategic points
on the Gulf Coast since that date
Through the effective work perform
ed by this organization, the illegal en-
try of Europeans across our land boun-
diaries has been very greatly diminished.
Also, through the increased number of
immigration officers stationed at our
various ports of entry, the number Of
aliens who deserted ships in American
ports has been reduced to an average
Of 1929 in the last three years and,
while, as previously stated, it is obvious
ly impossible to arrive at any concrete
figure as TO the number of aliens un-
lawfully in the United States, after a
careful consideration Of all factors
which enter into a computation of this
kind, recently estimated this number
to be about 1000, of which number
experience would indicate only about
Is per cent COR 100000 will be found
to come within the deportation proyi-
sions Of the present immigration law
and be found deportable.
AS Of interest to the people Of the
United States, desire to say that dur
ing the past 10 years a total of 80, 157