Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

150 Barred Zones/38

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman, Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, House of Representatives (Dickstein)

[Washington,] February 9, 1945.

My Dear Mr. Dickstein: In response to the request contained in your letter of January 11, 1945,⁸¹ for an expression of opinion concerning H.E. 173⁸² to authorize the naturalization and admission into the United States, under a quota, of Eastern Hemisphere Indians, and with reference to the interim reply sent to you on January 18, 1945, I have pleasure in stating that the Department views with favor the passage of the proposed legislation.

The enactment of legislation such as H.E. 173 would, it is believed, remove an outstanding inequity in American immigration and naturalization laws and one which causes bitter resentment against the United States by the people of India, an important member of the United Nations.

[Here follows a procedural statement.]

Sincerely yours,

Joseph C. Grew

81. Not printed.
82. A bill introduced by Representative Emanuel Celler of New York.