Evening star., 1952-05-25
The Immigration Bill

Both branches of the Congress have now
approved legislation revising and codifying the
Nations basic immigration laws.
It has been task extending over several
years. involving the overhauling and co-ordina-
ting of legislative enactments and supple
mentary regulations dating back to 1917.
Extensive hearings and departmental studies
were held. Sponsors of the House and Senate
measures were Representative Walter and SEN
ator McCarran. Conference reconciliation of
the two versions is not expected to be difficult
Possibility of presidential veto has been freely
mentioned but not confirmed by the White
House.
Rather belatedly, opponents sponsored rival
legislation and numerous amendments in both
branches. Despite these tactics and vigorous
criticism of the Walter-McCarran measures, the
House and Senate approved them without major
change and by overwhelming vote. On this
ground, at least, the legislation, even if not
perfect, represents the judgment and the will
Of Congress.
Aside from the long overdue codification-
most desirable omplishment-the approved
legislation provides the following: Retains the
present immigration quota system, based on the
1920 census; increases slightly the allowed immi-
grafton totals per year; revises the naturaliza-
tion laws; offers preferential treatment for mmi-
the barriers to immigration from the so-called
ASiatic-Pacifc triangle.
Critics of the legislation have charged that
it is basicaly restrictive and, as such, contrary
to the interests and traditions of the country.
Most of their differences were embodied in the
alternative measures, providing as follows:
Retention of the quota system but based on the
1850 census, thus increasing the quota total
by an estimated $4,000; pooling of unused quotas,
estimated to permit an added $4,000 yearly;
setting up system Of review over consular
decisions on granting or refusing visas; creating
an independent and statutory Board of Immi-
grafton Appeals; broadening the non-quota
immigration privileges, and removing all racial
and sex Determinations.
It is true that the rejected form OF the
legislation would permit entry of a greater
number of aliens and there is some validity to
the proposal that the quota system should be
based on the 1850 census rather than the popu-
lation pattern of 1920. It has not been proved,
however, that the suggested pooling of unused
quotas is essential to better immigration law
or to the reputation of America abroad. Such
a device, in fact, would tend to water down the
whole quota theory
Considerable emphasis was directed by the
opposition to the broad and final powers left
in the hands Of our consuls overseas. Here
again there was no convincing showing that
these powers have been abused in the past or
that they will necessarily be misused in the
future. Establishment of a review procedure
and Board of immigration Appeals very likely
would result in the correction Of an occasional
injustice but it remains questionable whether
there is sufficient need to warrant such setup
The legislation as passed is no more invio-
late than any other action Of the Congress. If
its application proves unsatisfactory or damaging
to American interests it can be revised by an
other Congress. What is good about it can be
kept and what is bad about it, when demon
strated in its workings, can be corrected without
discarding the long and tedious job that has
now been done.