157 million, from some 20, 25, or 30 countries, looking toward our east, across the Atlantic, and in this hemisphere. There are smaller numbers from the Pacific Ocean area, but I do not believe that we can judge the value to our society of any citizen based on his race or national origin. Senator JAVITS. Does the Secretary of State believe that it contributes greatly to the domestic tranquility of the United States, the peace and well-being of its citizens, if we do not endeavor to evaluate, by whatever evaluation one can make and it is quite difficult to see how that could be done the respective contributions to the upbuilding of our country of the respective inheritances and traditions of the various ethnic groups? Secretary RUSK. I don't believe we can do that on the basis of ethnic groups, Senator. I think it is fundamental to our society that evaluation of our citizens should be on an individual basis. Senator JAVITS. I thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Chair man. Senator ERVIN. I have a question. Senator KENNEDY. Senator Ervin. Senator ERVIN. Mr. Secretary, this bill establishes the quota on the basis of the nations, geographical areas embodied within an area where a nation exists? Secretary RUSK. That is correct. Senator ERVIN. It doesn't deal with the problem on the basis of ethnic groups? Secretary RUSK. That is the purpose of the administration bill, that is correct, sir. Senator ERVIN. Will you not agree that when Congress passed the McCarran-Walker Act, that Congress was acting upon the principle, the then opinion, that it was a legitimate basis for classification, the national origin of people? Secretary RUSK. I don't wish to impugn the Congress of 1924 and 1952; those bills were, presumably, constitutional, and within the powers of Congress under our Constitution to pass. But I have felt it important to say here this morning that there are certain elements in the underlying principle of those bills that do not seem to me to conform to our own domestic political philosophy of government or to our international requirements, with respect to national origin of the Pacific triangle, and the position in which Jamaica and Trinidad may find themselves. And I hope, exercising our own policy, under the Constitution, that the Congress would pass a constitutional bill, and bring that policy in line with our practice in this postwar period. Senator ERVIN. Suppose Congress had a different policy when it enacted the McCarran-Walker Act than what the policy is that you now advocate. Secretary RUSK. I think that is why these things are being requested. Senator ERVIN. Now, two other questions: Do you agree or disagree with this statement of Jenkin Lloyd Jones: The plain fact is that nothing America could do, without utterly destroying herself, could measurably ease the population woes of the world in which 125,000 people are being added every day. Secretary RUSK. Would you just read the second part of that? I am not sure I caught it closely. Senator ERVIN (reading): The plain fact is that nothing America could do, without utterly destroying herself, could measurably ease the population woes of the world in which 125,000 people are being added every day. Secretary RUSK. I don't have the exact figure in mind, sir, but it would not surprise me at all. Senator ERVIN. He also says that our current birth rate is more than twice our death rate, and that by 1980, even without any increase in immigration, we will have 240 million people in the United States. Do you agree? Secretary RUSK. I have seen no projections, but when I had occasion to get into this question some time ago, I found some of these projections that were made 20 or 30 years ago didn't work out, so I think we will leave that to the decisions of the American people to solve. [Laughter.] Senator ERVIN. I just wondered if the same observation couldn't be made in respect to the projection which you called to the attention of the committee with reference to how many people would apply for visas during the next 5 years. Secretary RUSK. I think that any estimate we can make now is the very best estimate we can make, in consultation with consuls and other governments, and looking at waiting lists, and known interests in coming to this country. I think I could be off in fact, but we would be surprised if we were seriously off, and 5 years from now if a major problem has been created with 166,000 immigrants, then Congress can take care of it, you will be here. Senator ERVIN. Can't we agree that the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley? Secretary RUSK. That is what they do sometimes. Senator ERVIN. Thank you. Senator KENNEDY. Any further questions? The hearing is now recessed until tomorrow morning at 10:30, February 25, when the witness will be the Secretary of Labor, Willard Wirtz. (Whereupon, at 12:30 p.m., the committee was recessed, to reconvene at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 25, 1965.) IMMIGRATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1965 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to recess, at 10:30 a.m., in room G-308, New Senate Office Building, Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts (presiding). Present: Senators Kennedy, Ervin, Hart, and Fong. Also present: Fred M. Mesmer, staff director; Drury H. Blair, staff member, and William A. Stevens, minority staff member. (Present at this point, Senator Kennedy of Massachuetts and Senator Ervin.) Senator KENNEDY. Our witness this morning is the Secretary of Labor, the Honorable Willard Wirtz. On behalf of the subcommittee I want to extend a very cordial welcome. I am sure that the remarks he has to make will be of immense benefit to the subcommittee in its consideration of the pending immigration legislation. This hearing will stress the economic aspects of the pending immigration reform bill S. 500. Today's appearance by Secretary Wirtz follows those of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. I attach special importance to Secretary Wirtz' testimony. In propaganda coming in from some quarters we are told that this bill will inundate our cities with a million immigrants annually, that it will load our relief rolls, flood the labor market, and cause American citizens to lose their jobs. The economic impact of S. 500 is a legitimate concern for all Americans. The committee will pursue the matter in every detail. I personally believe, however, that S. 500 has economic value for the United States. There is little doubt in my mind that the selective immigration under this bill can stimulate our economy and help to meet domestic needs in this decade of development. The committee welcomes Secretary Wirtz' contribution to the record. I know his comments will put in proper perspective for this subcommittee and all citizens the economic impact of S. 500. Mr. Secretary! STATEMENT OF HON. W. WILLARD WIRTZ, SECRETARY OF LABOR; ACCOMPANIED BY ALBERT D. MISLER, DEPUTY ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR OF LABOR; SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS; AND IRVING J. COHEN, MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH ANALYST, BUREAU OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Secretary WIRTZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. There are here with me today my Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs, Mr. Samuel Merrick, and Deputy Associate Solicitor, Mr. Albert D. Misler, and manpower development research analyst, Mr. Irving J. Cohen. Mr. Chairman, I have a written statement which I would suggest, if it is appropriate and considered proper by the committee, be filed, and that I make my remarks informally if that is satisfactory. Senator KENNEDY. Without objection, it is so ordered. (At this point in the proceedings, Senator Hart entered the hearing room.) (Secretary Wirtz' statement in full is as follows:) STATEMENT OF W. WILLARD WIRTZ, SECRETARY OF LABOR Mr. Chairman, "Over the years the ancestors of all of us-some 42 million human beings have migrated to these shores. The fundamental, longtime American attitude has been to ask not where a person comes from but what are his personal qualities." It was in these words that on January 13, President Johnson stated the principle basic to the adminishtration's proposal to elimate the national origin quota system from immigration legislation. The objectionable feature of this system-a system established under a law enacted over 40 years ago-is that it discriminates against peoples of other nations on the basis of their ethnic or national origin. The enactment by the Congress last year of the historic Civil Rights Act was & demonstration to the world, that our democratic institutions are founded on equal recognition, equal status, equal opportunity, and equal dignity without regard to race, creed, color, or ethnic origin. This action attuned one aspect of our laws to the philosophy of our society. Today we are joined in common cause with nations throughout the worldwith the people of Asia. Africa, Europe, and our own hemisphere to stem the creeping menace of communism. In the light of our total dedication to the preservation of democracy--its principles and ideals as a way of life for all— the national origin quota system is anachronistic. Four Presidents have urged its reform. S. 500 will abolish the archaic and discriminatory features of our immigration law in a gradual, equitable manner, and without any substantial increase in the total quota. At the end of 5 years the total annual quota of approximately 166,000 would be used, subject to certain family and occupational preferences, on a first-come first-granted basis. Artificial barriers to the reuniting of family members would be removed. Except for certain emergency provisions, no country would be allowed more than 10 percent of the quota annually. Not only are these provisions humane and in our best interests internationally; they also make economic sense. They would promote the admission of individuals with qualifications and occupations needed in the United States. And they would do this without disturbing the domestic employment situation. Of the 1959-62 annual average of 97,600 quota immigrants, an average of approximately 48,600 were added to our labor force each year. The rest of the number have been housewives, children, and others with no indicated occupation. Under S. 500, when it is fully operative in its fifth year, it is estimated that nearly 60 percent of increased admissions due to full use of the 165,800 quota. |