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Illegal Aliens
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Illegal Aliens
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The original documents are located in Box 9, folder "Illegal Aliens" of the Theodore C.
Marrs Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 9 of the Theodore C. Marrs Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Dr. marrs:
the Presidents Council X Committee
as a Staff member 2.
these observations interesting,
on Illegal aliens you may find
and perhaps informative
Herace Harris
5434 Whispering Creek
Houston, Texas 77017
September 3, 1975
Mr. Howard Fleiger, Editor
Mr. John H. Adams, Managing Editor
U. S. News and World Report
2300 "N" St. N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20037
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Gentlemen:
I sent copies of my letters of June 3, 1974 and July 2, 1974 to you on the subject
of immigration and illegal alien problems, and you acknowledged receipt of them. I
believe it barely possible that your interview with General Leonard Chapman,
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, which appeared in your issue of
July 22, 1974, might have resulted from the information furnished by me. I believe
also that the Commissioner fully substantiated what I said in my letters.
As a result of the Attorney General saying in the interview reported in your
June 30, 1975 issue that a Social Security Card issued now "is proof of citizen-
ship, a proof of legal residence, so it is a kind of domestic passport", I decided
to refute his statement in the attached "Things You May Not Know About Immigration
Or Aliens". It is most unfortunate that he was misinformed on this matter and has
so misinformed the nation through your publication. The Central Office of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service is at a disadvantage in calling his hand on
the incorrect statement, because he is the "boss". There is no reason why I cannot
do so. No doubt he was a good antitrust attorney in a Democratic Administration.
Any official of the Immigration and Naturalization Service can tell you that a Social
Security Card is proof of nothing, except that a number was issued to someone not
identified on the card. If cards being issued now are proof, as the Attorney General
has been quoted as saying, why are his subordinates apprehending and removing holders
of these cards from the country daily?
Since beginning to write my observations, I have read more newspaper articles quoting
I & NS officials as substantiating what I had already written, so I do not stand
alone in challenging what the Attorney General was quoted as saying about Social
Security Cards proving alien or citizen status. It is a shame and a disgrace to
responsible government that an agency set up to handle accounts gets into the picture
as determining who is employable, because it is making a mess of it, and many people
are being deceived by relying on Social Security Cards as evidence of legal employability.
You may print this letter or the observations if you wish, with or without compen-
sating me therefor, and you may use or omit my name. The people deserve to know the
truth, especially since there are as many aliens illegally in the country as there are
legal resident aliens, perhaps more. The Attorney General, Members of Congressional
Committees with interest in this problem, and other officials in Washington, will re-
ceive copies of this letter and attachments, but for the present, they are not being
furnished to other publications.
Yours very truly,
Horace C. Harris
Att.
CC
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRATION OR ALIENS
A retired official of the Immigration and Naturalization Service is willing
to share some observations with you, which you possibly have not had an opportunity
to learn firsthand.
It is the duty of all citizens to uphold the laws of the land, otherwise, why
the ballyhoo about a Bicentennial observance? It is an unhealthy situation to have
employers across the land aiding millions of illegal aliens to violate the law by
employing them. It has become as popular as violations of the prohibition laws
ever were, almost.
The illegal alien uses very sophisticated means to gain entry into and to
remain in the United States. He may buy a fraudulent birth or baptismal certifi-
cate showing birth in the United States, or he may borrow or purloin one. A Houston
newspaper front page headline August 30, 1975 reads "Birth Certificate Black Market
Here". The article says illegal aliens pay thirty to five hundred dollars ($30 - 500)
and use them to obtain jobs, Social Security benefits and welfare payments. "The
vendors include notaries, church clerks and midwives." A report from Newark says
"the problem is pervasive".
Counterfeit or altered Alien Registration Receipt Cards, the only document
recognized by the I & N S as evidence of legal residence, are becoming more common.
Other issuances, such as false, stolen or borrowed Selective Service Cards, Voter
Registration, etc., are being used to support false claims of U. S. Citizenship.
Here is the clincher! Illegal aliens present these spurious documents to the
Social Security Administration when applying for cards, and its employees have
neither the mechanics, nor training, to detect such frauds. Once he has a Social
Security Card, the alien no longer carries the fraudulent papers and Immigration
officers are deprived of some opportunities to detect the frauds.
-2-
The much heralded cooperation between the I & N S and the Social Security
Administration is for practical purposes a "dud". An investigator can produce
several apprehensions from "cold search" in less time than he can check out a
report or referral from Social Security, principally because of delays involved.
Inasmuch as Social Security issues numbers all over the country, reports from
where there is no Immigration Office are almost totally useless.
Social Security cards issued today do not differ in information shown theren
from the ones held by millions of aliens already in the country illegally. Also,
some union hiring halls issue "chits" to persons presenting cards which may belong
to another person and they are then put back into circulation. Aliens who have
been admitted for residence during the last fifty (50) years have been documented
when admitted. The currently issued document is an ALIEN REGISTRATION RECEIPT CARD.
Since a valid Alien Registration Receipt Card, bearing his photograph, is the only
authentic document than an alien who has entered this country in the last twenty (20)
years can present to any employer, any alien who cannot present one should be suspect,
and it is a violation of laws not to possess one. This should allay any contention
that a Social Security card is "a better approach than putting the burden of proof
on the employer". The Immigration and Naturalization Service stands ready to deter-
mine for the employer whether the alien is employable.
THE ONLY EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO ILLEGAL ENTRY IS TO DRY UP THE AVAILABILITY
OF EMPLOYMENT.
Those who would drag out, the "red herring" of discrimination to defeat a
measure to rid the country of millions of illegal aliens at a time when there are
millions of unemployed citizens, are using the same tactic which has always been
used against all proposed laws which in any way restricted or regulated the coming
-3-
of people to this country in the past. Millions, perhaps billions, of dollars are
being spent to provide welfare and unemployment payments, food stamps and education
for aliens illegally in the country. Six illegal alien children in Houston are
suing for free tuition as the School Board knows they are illegally here. Thousands
more attend school across the country without knowledge of the boards that they are
unlawfully here.
The Rodino Bill would not apply to Mexican Nationals alone, but to aliens from
around the world, including Canadians (I hear no objections from them), such as
deserting alien seamen, stowaways, aliens who should enter with immigrant visas,
but enter in the guise of visitors, with no intention of departing, traders,
students, etc., who fail to leave at the termination of the period of admission,
or extension thereof. It would also relate to the holders of Border Crossing Cards
who fail to depart at the end of 72 hours, and there may be a million of them,
including domestics and the persons who serve you at the market or elsewhere.
These, along with illegal entrants, are a major reason why millions of citizens are
unemployed.
I recommend that the issuance of border crossing identification cards to aliens
residing in foreign contiguous territory be suspended for two years, or until the
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization certifies that cards which already
have been issued are no longer being used illegally in significant numbers.
Section 101 (A) (6) Imm. & Nat. Act (8USC 1101 (A)(6)
Some Say we May have a permanent unemployment rate of several million, and
I agree to this, unless the Rodino Bill, or similar legislation is passed. Why
legislate against Europeans and Asiatics, included in the classes above, and
leave the Mexican Nationals exempted?
-4-
May I say that aliens come in all colors except iridescent, and speak many
languages and dialects. Immigration laws once mentioned colors and races, but
such was eliminated when people yelled "discrimination". What would the red,
black, white, or yellow races say if we favor Mexican Nationals because of race
or color?
We hear from spokesmen from "Hispanic Groups" in loud voices, while native
unemployed or poorly paid Chicanos and their families, as well as legal resident
aliens, suffer. Many employers prefer to have no knowledge that their employees
are illegal aliens. They say that apprehended "wetbacks" were the best workers
they had, or that they could not stay in business without employing "wetbacks".
They, while professing to be law-abiding citizens, welcome apologists for their
cause who yell "discrimination". Some illegal aliens have been removed many times
and often return to the same employer. I admit some might become so fluent in
English as to pose a problem in determining citizenship, but loyalty to the employer
or because of skills learned while illegally here, might influence the employer to
take the risk. A competent "Tex-Mex" native knows the difference, and any employer
of Mexicans should use this ability of some native in such matters; however, many
employers speak the language well enough to distinguish between Mexicans who have
foreign childhood backgrounds, especially since natives have had the benefit of
compulsory school attendance laws. (The employer should again consult I & N S
if in doubt.)
QUESTION: Should we let one or two percent who cannot satisfy as to citizen - -
ship because of lack of fluency due to inattention or indifference to the language
of the land, or other factors, serve as an effectual deterrent to the passage of
H.R. 982 or any other much needed law? Any person who supports such contention is
suffering with credulity or has an ulterior motive; an axe to grind, maybe!
-5-
AS FOR THE RODINO BILL, I HAVE CERTAIN RESERVATIONS, BUT TO GET A LAW WHICH
WOULD ENABLE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TO GO BACK TO WORK, I'LL SWALLOW MY RESERVATIONS
IN FAVOR OF H. R. 982.
In case you are interested in my reservations, I would say that the amnesty
amendments added in Committee to permit certain illegal aliens to apply for grant
of resident status, is the greatest reward that could possibly be extended to an
alien for breaking a law. He would benefit from an original illegal entry, as well
as for any unlawful reentries. Some aliens have been sent out of the country twenty
to thirty times. (I believe I heard of one being removed forty times.) No permanent
record is kept of voluntary departures in lieu of deportation. Such aliens are not
fingerprinted and no index is maintained of them. Finding a record of their mis-
behavior while in the country would be a burden upon the government. As for the
unusual hardship variety, may it be said that had he not violated the law of our
land, he would not be able to remain here to become a potential welfare, or medi-
care case, for the remainder of his life. WHAT A WINDFALL!
Section 245 of the Imm. & Nat. Act (the boon of sultry lovers) should be
repealed rather than amended. It was put in the 1952 Act as a palative. The
amnesty provision mentioned above are palatives to appease objectors to the bill.
Section 245 has resulted in untold thousands coming to the country in the guise of
temporary visitor, anticipating a change of status to residents, and has caused
other thousands to overstay for the same reason. Many fraudulent marriages have
been uncovered, including one woman who petitioned non-quota status for seven (7)
alien husbands within a year. Some cases have been discovered of aliens marrying
American women, who petitioned for them, and the aliens were usually granted status
as legal residents. They may be naturalized after three years as spouses of U. S.
-6-
citizens, then they abandon or divorce the American women and return to their
native countries, to bring their original families in as spouses and children of
American citizens. Alien women employ similar tactics. These and other types of
fraud are commonplace, but not all are detected, I am sure.
A subsection of law which should be repealed also is the one in Section 265
of the Imm. & Nat. Act (8 USC 1305) requiring alien residents to submit address cards
each January. Over four million do so each year. These cards are counted, placed
in boxes or filing cases, and that is all. It seems the requirement was instituted
for annoyance value to cause more aliens to apply for citizenship. Some said the
alien population would disappear that way! But with over four million resident aliens
reporting annually, it would seem many unconcerned aliens don't care to become un-
concerned citizens. Anyway, the Address Report Program is a nuisance and costly and
should be eliminated.
I shall be happy to accept H. R. 982 if it can get through Senator Eastland's
Committee. If it cannot I have a substitute with enough subject matter for reference
to other committees in both Houses, yet with enough meat in it to make it self-
enforcing. One final fact: If you believe the major portion of illegal entrants
enter into agriculture, I shall be happy to furnish facts and figures -- many earn
impressive wages and salaries.
We hold these Truths.
We hold these Truths.
Mr. & Mrs. Horace C. Harris
5434 Whispering Creek Way
POSTAL
AN
Houston, Texas 77017
"S 'n
S.
'II
197'
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
Dr. Theodare @. Marro,
The white House
White House Staff
RECEPTION HOUSE SECURITY
Washington, D.C.
20 SEP B 8 1975
Processed
September 27, 1975
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THRU:
PHIL BUCHEN
FROM:
THEODORE C. MARRS
For your information.
pft
September 27, 1975
FORD & 076830 LIBRARY
Dear James:
Your views on "illegal aliens" have been widely
disseminated for consideration within the
Administration.
Sincerely,
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
The Most Reverend James S. Rausch
General Secretary
United States Catholic Conference
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.
Washington, D.C. 20005
TCM:pft
CC: Atty. General (thru Phil Buchen) - FYI
CC: Domestic Council - - FYI
CC: Secretary, HEW - FYI
cc: Budley Chapman - (INS)
STATES
UNITED
CATHOLIC
1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
Most Reverend Joseph L. Bernardin, Archbishop of Cincinnati
CONFERENCE
President
MOST REV. JAMES S. RAUSCH
General Secretary
REV. ROBERT V. MONTICELLO
Associate General Secretary
REV. MICHAEL J. SHEEHAN
Assistant General Secretary
September 2, 1975
The Honorable Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant - Human Resources
The White House
LISTARY GERALD R. FORD
Washington, D.C.
Dear Ted:
For your information, I am sending you the attached
copy of a letter I have just written to President Ford
on legislation dealing with "illegal aliens." As you
know, the United States Catholic Conference is greatly
concerned about the government's policy in this regard.
Anything you can do to insure careful consideration of
our views by appropriate officials within the Administra-
tion would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
fames A. Rausch
Most Reverend James S. Rausch
General Secretary
Enclosure
JSR/jc
STATES
UNITED
CATHOLIC
1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20005
Most Reverend Joseph L. Bernardin, Archbishop of Cincinnati
CONFERENCE
President
MOST REV. JAMES S. RAUSCH
General Secretary
REV. ROBERT V. MONTICELLO
Associate General Secretary
REV. MICHAEL J. SHEEHAN
Assistant General Secretary
September 2, 1975
The President
The White House
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
Washington, D.C.
Mr. President:
I am writing you about a matter of great concern to
the Catholic bishops of the United States. At the meeting
of June 18, 1975, between members of the Executive Committee
of the United States Catholic Conference and yourself, we
expressed our views about the "illegal alien problem" in
the United States. At that time our position was that we
supported legislation which would grant meaningful amnesty
to those aliens who had been residing in this country for
sometime and in particular to those who had established
families here. We also stressed our opposition to any
punitive measures by the Federal government against these
persons.
In late July, just before the beginning of the summer
recess of Congress, the Committee on the Judiciary of the
U.S. House of Representatives voted to report out a bill
(H.R. 8713) dealing with "illegal aliens."
During consideration of this legislation by both the
Subcommittee and the full Judiciary Committee, the U.S.C.C.
expressed strong reservation about several of its provisions
and, in the testimony presented on March 13, 1975, recommend-
ed a number of changes. None of the changes which were sug-
gested have been incorporated in the final version of the
bill approved by the Judiciary Committee. Therefore, it is
our judgment that H.R.8713 still remains so seriously de-
fective that it should be opposed in its entirety.
It is our judgment that this legislation has been de-
veloped in the context of totally inadequate information on
the part of either the Legislative or Administrative branches
of the government. The government really does not know how
The President
Page two
September 2, 1975
many so-called illegal aliens are in the United States and
it can only guess at the impact they are having on the
economy.
If enacted in this form, this legislation will create
a serious civil rights problem by greatly enhancing the
possibility of job discrimination against minority group
persons. By providing sanctions against any employers who
hire an illegal alien, it is creating a situation which
assuredly will lead to discrimination against any person
belonging to a minority group whose legal status might be
called into question.
Furthermore, this legislation would result in inhumane
and immoral treatment of large numbers of very poor people
who have been residing in this country for a number of
years, many of whom have established families here. We con-
sider it unconscionable that our government should even con-
sider separating families by forcing a mass exodus or de-
portation of millions of men, women, and children.
On August 20, I issued a statement concerning this leg-
islation, on behalf of the U.S. Catholic Conference. I am
enclosing a copy of this statement for your information.
I am writing both to keep you informed of our views
and to request that your Administration join us in opposing
passage of H.R. 8713.
Sincerely yours,
+ fames S. Routch
Most Reverend James S. Rausch
General Secretary
Enclosure
JSR/jc
United States Catholic Conference
August 20, 1975
Statement on
"Illegal Alien" Legislation
On a number of occasions during the past several
years the Bishops of the United States have spoken out
about the need for a humane and just approach in our
government's policies established to solve current national
and international economic problems. We have spoken for
the need of balancing the normal consumers' demand in the
market place with the special needs of the working class,
the poor, and the elderly, especially in regard to the costs
of food and fuel. We have emphasized the need for a radical
change in the consumptive habits of the more advanced
societies in order to insure a just distribution of the
world's goods to the less fortunate both at home and abroad.
We have tried to focus attention on the interdependent nature
of the world community of nations and the moral obligation
of the United States and other developed and wealthy soci-
eties to share more of the wealth which they have managed
to accumulate and control.
Once again we feel compelled to speak out on these
matters because of a very dangerous direction in which the
Congress of the United States is moving in dealing with one
very important aspect of our troubled economy. Soon after
the summer recess, the Committee on the Judiciary will bring
before the United States House of Representatives a bill
which will, in effect, attempt to provide a "scapegoat"
solution to our economic problems. The Judiciary Committee
will propose that Congress pass an "Illegal Alien Bill"
(H.R. 8713) which will supposedly help us out of our
economic morass.
Although there is little available in terms of support-
ing facts, advocates of this legislation claim that literally
millions of illegal aliens have come into our country in
recent years. It is further alleged that these people are
taking a significant number of jobs that would otherwise be
available for citizens or lawful resident aliens; that they
are adding to the tax load by utilizing health, education, and
social services; and, that they are causing a drain on our
monetary resources by sending a good deal of the money they
earn out of the U.S. to support their families at home.
(over)
- 2 -
The stated purpose of this legislation is to stop the
influx of illegal aliens into our country by cutting off the
economic incentives that attract them here in the first place.
This is to be accomplished by making it illegal for any
employer to hire or to continue to employ any alien who has
not been properly certified by the government to be eligible
for employment. In essence, the government will be requiring
the employers of this nation to enforce the immigration laws
which it failed to enforce in the past either as a matter of
policy or incompetence.
In our opinion, this legislation is objectionable from
several points of view. In the first place, neither Congress
nor the Administration has demonstrated that they have
adequate information on the scope of the illegal alien problem
or of the possible effects of this new legislation on lawful
alien residents and citizens. They have no idea how many
illegal aliens are really in the country. Their estimates
range from 2 to 12 million. They really do not know whether
the illegals who are here are holding jobs which either citizens
or lawful residents would be willing to accept. They can only
guess at the additional costs being created by the alleged
increased need for public services or the alleged amount of
money being sent out of the country by illegals.
That the Federal government's information about illegal
aliens is inadequate is best verified by the fact that in
both fiscal years 1975 and 1976, the Immigration and Natura-
lization Service has sought special appropriations of $1 million
from Congress to conduct a study of the problem. In a document
submitted to Congress justifying the need for this study it
is stated:
"Without knowing the actual scope of the problem, it
is not possible to attack it effectively. It is,
therefore, mandatory that I.&N.S. assess the illegal
alien situation to determine not only the magnitude,
but also the characteristics, mode, and locations of
entry, area of residence, and extent of impact of the
illegal alien population."
In addition, President Ford recently appointed a special
Cabinet Committee to study the matter. There seems to be
little doubt that the government itself recognizes its lack
of basic information. Therefore, neither the Congress nor the
Administration should initiate major new policies in regard
to illegal aliens prior to conducting comprehensive and ob-
jective studies of this matter.
- 3 -
Assuming that the problem is of such magnitude as to
justify some sort of legislative remedy of this nature, the
legislation proposed by the House Judiciary Committee is
seriously defective to the point of being completely unde-
sirable. In attempting to solve an economic problem this
proposal will create a civil rights problem of horrendous
magnitude.
By providing sanctions against any employer who hires
an illegal alien, this legislation would create a situation
that assuredly will lead to discrimination against any person
belonging to a minority group whose legal status might be
called into question. Legal aliens and minority group
citizens will be denied employment simply because employers
will not want to run the risk of inadvertently violating
the law.
On the request of Congressman Don Edwards (D.-Calif.),
Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights and
Constitutional Rights, the United States Commission on Civil
Rights, through its Staff Director, submitted comments on this
proposed legislation on July 28, 1975. The following excerpts
from these comments summarize the Commission's point of view:
"It is our view that the passage of H.R. 8713 in its
present form will have a direct discriminatory effect
on minority persons seeking employment, whether they
are citizens or aliens authorized to work in the
United States.'
"Secondly, even if employers were to request the same
proof of status from all applicants, the difficulties
in making determinations of citizenship or alien status
will inevitably result in employers hiring less minority
applicants in order to minimize the risk of hiring illegal
aliens. Minority citizens as well as minority legal
aliens will be the victims of discriminatory hiring."
"However, attempts to solve this country's serious
economic problems cannot be made at the expense of
the civil and constitutional rights of minority persons."
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
also submitted comments on July 23, 1975, in a similar vein
to Congressman Edwards. Their position can be summarized by
the following quotation from those comments:
(over)
- 4 -
"Specifically, the illegal alien bill has provisions
which when implemented will inevitably result in certain
groups being treated differently solely on the basis that
members of these groups look 'foreign'."
On June 18, 1975, an important meeting took place at
the White House between the members of the Executive Committee
of the U.S. Catholic Conference/National Conference of Catholic
Bishops and the President of the United States.
This delegation, headed by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin,
President, USCC/NCCB, discussed with President Ford a number
of public policy issues of pressing concern to the Catholic
Bishops of the United States. An issue of major import con-
cerned the matter of the illegal alien problem. At this meeting,
the Bishops stressed their support for legislation which would
grant a meaningful amnesty to these people and opposed any
punitive measures by the government against the aliens.
On March 13, 1975, Msgr. George Higgins, Secretary for
Research, presented the testimony of the U.S.C.C. on this
matter before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration,
Citizenship, and International Law. In this testimony, the
U.S.C.C. focused much of its attention on the most serious
problem with this legislation, that is, how to humanely handle
those aliens without legal status who already are and have been
residing in this country for sometime. We have been particu-
larly concerned with the effects of this legislation on those
who have established families here and have become integrated
into our society. They are generally very poor people living
a marginal existence. In our testimony, Msgr. Higgins stated:
"The effect of the present wording
would be
a screening by the employer of all the employees within
ninety days after the law was enacted. The dismissal
of untold numbers of workers from their jobs in such a
short period of time would cause unbelievable havoc among
their families and in the communities where they live.
It would be physically impossible for the Immigration
Service to move such large numbers of people. Moreover,
it is unconscionable that our government should even
consider separating families by forcing a mass exodus
or deportation of literally millions of men, women, and
children."
- 5 -
Our basic position is that the Federal government should
deal with the problem of the future influx of illegal aliens
separately from the problem of those already residing in this
country. Those who are already here are here because the
government has been both unwilling and unable to enforce its
own immigration laws. Most of these people have established
families, part of whom are American citizens with all of the
R.
FORD
rights of citizenship.
GERALD
To cut these families off from their meager economic
sustenance and to force upon them the great hardship of
emigrating or to attempt some sort of mass deportation effort
would be both inhumane and immoral. For a nation which for
two hundred years has been a symbol of hope for the oppressed
and the poor of all nations of the world, such an action
would be unthinkable.
There is only one just and humane solution to this important
aspect of the problem which would be consistent with the
tradition and ideals of a country which has been known as the
"nation of immigrants" that is, to once again show our generosity
by allowing these people to become legal residents. Consequently,
we have advocated that a meaningful amnesty provision be
incorporated into this legislation. Such a provision would
allow people who have already been in the country for a period
of time, particularly those who have family ties here, to
adjust their status. This must be done without penalizing
those who are waiting to come into the country through normal
immigration channels. The number of those adjusted in this
manner must not be charged against existing immigration quotas.
The bill (H.R. 8713) as it is presently written has a
so-called "amnesty provision." Close analysis of the provision
has shown that it will-benefit relatively few people at best.
We consider this provision as little more than lip service to
the concept of amnesty and therefore judge it to be completely
inadequate.
In conclusion, we call upon the Congress and the President
to reject the proposed "Illegal Alien Bill" (H.R. 8713) as
unjust and discriminatory.
UNITED STATES
CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
WASHINGION
1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W.
no
U.S.POSTAGE
SEP_2'75
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
E10
*************
DC
P.B 6316441
Hon. Theodore C. Marrs
Special Asst. - Human Resources
The White House
Washington, D.C.