The Immigration Committee Friday held an executive session for the consideration of the Deportation Bill introduced by Congressman Holaday which aims to codify and amplify all existing laws regarding the deportation of aliens.
The bill contains a new provision which will endanger all aliens who entered the United States irregularly at any time in the past, no matter how long they have been residents. This provision requires the deportation of any alien who at the time of entry belonged to a class excluded by law or one who entered at any time or place other than as designated by the immigration laws or officials. It also provides for the deportation of any immigrant who eludes examination or inspection or obtained admission by misrepresentations or failure to disclose material facts.
Under the existing law an alien who entered the country irregularly, cannot be deported after expiration of five years from the date of entry. Under the Holaday bill this limitation period would be abolished and regardless of the length of residence, family and business connections, or standing in the community, the alien would become subject to deportation. Charges have been made from time to time by the immigration restrictionists that a large number of such aliens are in America.
Another important provision requires the deportation of any alien whose sentences for conviction for any crimes aggregate a total of eighteen months. That is, a conviction involving eighteen months’ sentence would not bring about deportation, but convictions for several minor offenses, if totalling eighteen months’ imprisonment, would be sufficient cause for deportation. This provision applies, however, only for convictions taking place after the enactment of the bill.
Another provision calls for the deportation of any alien convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, regardless of when committed and upon conviction for any offense committed after the enactment of the bill, involving a sentence of one year or more, including conviction for violation of the prohibition law. It is understood that an effort is being made in the Committee not to deport under this provision, unless the imprisonment is eighteen months.
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