Appendix IV — Suggested Changes in Immigration Laws
I. The examination of all emigrants at the port of embarkation.
Objections
(a) The maintenance of an expensive machinery which will be hard to direct and control.
(b) The possible objections of the governments concerned.
(c) The prospective emigrant will necessarily have taken the most serious steps; and rejection at the port of entry will not be a much greater misfortune than rejection at the port of embarkation.
(d) That it will be practically impossible for political offenders to leave their country.
II. “That in addition to the restriction imposed by the laws at present in force, the head tax of four dollars now collected, should be increased to ten.”9
Objection
This would increase the number of immigrants who come here without their families, and consequently would react upon the United States both morally and financially.
Suggestion
That the ten dollar head tax be collected from adults, and that the present tax of four dollars remain in force for children and possibly for mothers.
III. “That each immigrant, unless he be a political refugee, should bring with him not less than twenty-five dollars, in addition to the amount required to pay transportation to the point where he expects to find employment.”
There is no valid objection to this demand—and the vast majority of immigrants are able to meet it.
IV. “That immigrants between the ages of fourteen and fifty years should be able to read a section of the Constitution of the United States, either in our language, in their own language, or in the language of the country from which they come.”
Objection
The demand for such a test is not unreasonable, and is humane in that it exempts the young and the aged; but it does not take account of the fact that in most immigrant groups, the education of the woman has been neglected—and that the enforcement of such a law would have the same effect as that which relates to the increase in the head tax.
Suggestion
That the literacy test be not applied to the wives of immigrants.
Footnotes
1 “The Neighbours,” pp. 110-114.
2 “The Jew in London,” Russel-Lewis, pages 171-173.
3 “Studies on American Social Conditions. Immigration.” By Richard Henry Edwards, p. 9.
4 “Social Psychology,” Ross, p. 140.
5 Report of Commission of Immigration of the State of New York, pp. 182 and 185.
6 Report of Commission of Immigration of the State of New York, p. 183.
9 Protect the Workman. John Mitchell, The Outlook, Sept. 11, 1909.