A member of Jewish organizations today called for an end “to the national origins quota system and the other unjust and discriminatory provisions” of the McCarran-Walter Immigration Law, enacted by the last Congress over President Truman’s veto.
Observing “that leaders of both political parties have denounced the racist feature” of the McCarran-Walter Law, the Jewish groups maintained that “the 82nd Congress now has a clear mandate” to effect revisions. This view was contained in a statement released by the National Community Relations Advisory Council.
Joining in the statement were the American Jewish Congress, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S., Union of American Hebrew Congregrations, which, together with 28 Jewish community council in cities throughout the country comprise the N.C.R.A.C., and the ### Immigrant Aid Society, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Synagogue Council of America.
The statement urged both political parties to pledge: 1. The abolition of a system of immigration which makes place of birth the test of admission to the United States and substitution of a plan based on individual need and qualification; 2. Equal treatment under the law for native born and ### citizens; 3. Abolition of deportation and denaturalization as punishment for crime other than fraud and illegal entry; 4. Establishment of procedures for adequate appellate and judicial review of acts of consular and immigration officials.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.