Opponents of immigration today prevented the House of Representatives from taking up a bill that would make it easier for the parents of soldiers and sailors to become United States citizens.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Fred A. Hartley, Jr., New Jersey Republican. It would make it unnecessary for aliens with sons or daughters in the armed forces of the United States to file a declaration of intention two years before getting their citizenship. It would also make citizenship possible for those parents who are technically German “alien enemies,” although they may be refugees from Hitler.
Speeches against the bill were made by Reps. John Rankin of Mississippi and Wright Patman of Texas, both Democrats. Patman charged that Chairman Samuel Dickstein, New York Democrat, of the Immigration and Naturalization Committee, was trying to rush the bill through. By a standing vote of 33 to 122, the House refused consideration. Dickstein asked for a roll-call to put the members on record, pointing out that no quorum was present, but Rankin won an adjournment.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
