Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, China

150.06/818

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Immigration (Russell)

Washington, March 10, 1943.

My Dear Senator Russell: Your letter of February 26, 1943⁹ in which you enclose a copy of a proposed amendment¹⁰ to the immigration law extending the authority to deport aliens, has just come to my attention. It appears that your letter was misplaced in the division where the opening and sorting of mail takes place. I want to express my regret that this delay should occur.

In the opinion of the State Department the passage of this amendment to the immigration law appears to be of importance to the prosecution of the war effort. In effect it removes a discrimination which has existed in practice in favor of Chinese seamen and in the long run it can only work to the benefit of the Chinese Government and people.

On March 3, 1943, Assistant Secretary of State Berle, at my request, attended an executive session of the House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization which was considering the companion measure to the one discussed by you, and testified in general to the above effect.

Sincerely yours,

Sumner Welles

9. Not printed.
10. H. R. 2076 (78th Cong., 1st sess.), “to authorize the deportation of aliens to countries allied with the United States.”