Javits Protests Pressure to Support Inadequate Immigration Bills

Senator Jacob K. Javits of New York served notice today that he would in future refuse to support unsatisfactory immigration bills and would offer amendments “even if it kills the bill.”

The New Yorker protested tactics used annually in connection with immigration bills by which advocates of more liberal measures are warned that they must support whatever slight improvements are offered or face the prospect that even this measure would be withdrawn. Other Senators expressed support of the New Yorker’s position.

Senator Javits quoted from the immigration planks in the platforms of both parties, which pledged themselves to liberalize the immigration laws and drew a pointed contrast between these pledges and the realities as illustrated by the joint resolution cleared by the Congressional committee and sent to the White House for signature.

This resolution provides for admission to the United States of European refugees in connection with World Refugee Year which just ended. The resolution was denounced as grossly inadequate even by conservative standards, It completely disregarded President Eisenhower’s recommendations for liberalization of immigration quotas.

The measure applies to refugees now under the care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and is meant to define the American contribution to the concerted international effort to solve the refugee problem. It was pushed through the House by Rep. Francis E. Walter of Pennsylvania, and through the Senate by James O. Eastland, of Mississippi.It will admit one-fourth the aggregate number admitted by other nations. It is estimated that this number will not exceed 6, 000 over a two-year period.