United States immigration regulations may be modified so that the immigration quota after the war will be based not on country of origin as hitherto, but on the occupation and skills of the immigrant, it was indicated by Earl G. Harrison, Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, addressing the opening session of the Hias-Ica training courses on migrations problems at the New School for Social Research.
Predicting that a new approach to alien problems will be taken by the Unite States after the war, Commissioner Harrison also disclosed that suggestions are now being considered “the an immigration deficit incurred in the quota of any one year, might be compensated by the temporary enlargement of quotas for later years.” He emphasized that America’s post-war immigration policy may be linked in come fashion with the work of the U.S. Employment Service.
The Immigration Commissioner pointed out that there is a real possibility that countries in Europe will wish to conserve their human assets and will seek to maintain their labor supply unimpaired, to meet the task of reconstruction. With all due regard for these possibilities, however, he envisioned that large numbers of would be immigrants will seek admission to the United States.
ADVANCE SELECTION OF IMMIGRANTS IN COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN IS URGED
“Many of the mistakes and difficulties that have accompanied migration can be reduced by means of a working cooperation and understanding between the country of origin and the country of destination, through the provision of accurate and adequate information to the potential migrants, through advanced selection of the migrants, and through whatever training or instruction is needful to maximize their chances of success as immigrants,” the Commissioner declared.
Referring to the possibility of admitting immigrants not on the basis of their countries of origin, but by occupational selection, Commissioner Harrison said. “We already grant non-quota status to certain professions; a similar non-quota status or preferential status might be extended to other groups as need arose. Such a quota basis would certainly present serious difficulties, and might be subject to serious objections, but would possess the advantage of giving the incoming alien a maximum opportunity for gainful employment at a favorable wage level, and assuring him an opportunity, without imposing any obligation, to exercise those special skills that he possessed. It may be added that we already have the example of some European countries basing admission quite directly on occupation.”
Other speakers at the session were Pierre Waelbroeck, chief of the Migration Division of the International Labor Office, and Max Gottschalk, president of the Hias Ica Emigration association. The first lecture in the training course on migration work, which is to continue until the end of May, was given today i the His building by Pro. Palo Saron. Be spoke on the “Historical Aspects of Modern Migration.” The course is open to social workers who are interested in practical questions concerning post-war immigration activities.
Mr. Waelbroeck, gave a resume of the various attempts in the past to regulate protection of migrants. He also gave a general outline of the situation which has arisen in Europe in connection with the forced displacement of millions of men, women ad children, end of the situation which may arise as a result of the migration processes within Europe, and of the desire of many hundred s of thousands who will want to start afresh elsewhere than in their former homes.
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