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Whom We Shall Welcome: Report of the President's Commission on Immigration and Naturalization

In 1952, Congress passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which had many provisions objectionable to many Americans. President Truman vetoed it, but it was passed in June 1952 over the President's veto. President Truman established the President's Commission on Immigration and Naturalization [in September 1952]. He directed the Commission "to study and evaluate the immigration and naturalization policies of the United States" and to make recommendations "for such legislative, administrative, or other action as in its opinion may be desirable in the interest of the economy, security, and responsibilities of this country." This Report is the result of the Commission's study, and contains the recommendations for an immigration policy best suited, in its judgment, to the interests, needs, and security of the United States.

"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and Respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall wellcome to a participation of all our rights and priveleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment." George Washington, December 2, 1783. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 was superseded by a new immigration policy in 1965. - Summary modified from the text and by TriciaG

NOTE: Written in the early 1950s, this report contains terms and attitudes not culturally acceptable today (such as using the term "colored" and "wetbacks").

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Introduction (Larry Wilson)
Part 1: Americans Speak on Immigration. Chapter 1a: The Commission's Hearings (KevinS)
Part 1, Chapter 1b (KevinS)
Part 2: Immigration and the American Way of Life. Chapter 2a: Immigration and the American Economy (PhyllisV)
Part 2, Chapter 2b (PhyllisV)
Part 2, Chapter 3a: Immigration and Our Foreign Policy (PhyllisV)
Part 2, Chapter 3b (PhyllisV)
Part 2, Chapter 3c (PhyllisV)
Part 3: A Unified Quota System. Chapter 4: The Annual Immigration Quota (Maria Kasper)
Part 3, Chapter 5: National Origins System—Background (Maria Kasper)
Part 3, Chapter 6: National Origins System—Assumptions (Maria Kasper)
Part 3, Chapter 7: National Origins System—Operation (Maria Kasper)
Part 3, Chapter 8: National Origins System—Suggestions to the Commission (Maria Kasper)
Part 3, Chapter 9: A Unified Quota System—The Commission's Recommendation (Maria Kasper)
Part 4: Administration of the Law. Chapter 10a: The Administrative Agency (Maria Kasper)
Part 4, Chapter 10b (Maria Kasper)
Part 4, Chapter 11a: Fair Hearing and Procedure (Maria Kasper)
Part 4, Chapter 11b (Maria Kasper)
Part 4, Chapter 11c (Maria Kasper)
Part 4, Chapter 11d (Andy Glover)
Part 5: Other Major Aspects. Chapter 12a: The Admission of Aliens (Ciufi Galeazzi)
Part 5, Chapter 12b (Ciufi Galeazzi)
Part 5, Chapter 13a: The Deporation of Aliens (Ciufi Galeazzi)
Part 5, Chapter 13b (Ciufi Galeazzi)
Part 5, Chapter 14: Relief in Deportation Cases (Patrick McHaffie)
Part 5, Chapter 15a: Security Protections (Patrick McHaffie)
Part 5, Chapter 15b (Andy Glover)
Part 5, Chapter 16a: Citizenship (Patrick McHaffie)
Part 5, Chapter 16b (Patrick McHaffie)
Part 5, Chapter 17: Additional Matters for Consideration (Andy Glover)
Part 6: Conclusions and Recommendations. Chapter 18: Conclusions (Larry Wilson)
Appendix I-II: Additional Views of Adrian S. Fisher. Order Creating the Commission. (Larry Wilson)
Appendix III: The President's Veto Message (Larry Wilson)
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