Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file, Dulles–Herter Series
Memorandum by the President to the Secretary of State
At this morning’s conference with the Legislative Leaders, I brought up the question of the Emergency Immigration Program.
I told them that I had no great objection to the Bill in its present form which (in the Senate, I believe) provides for 220,000 immigrants over a period of three years. However, since this Bill contains in its total some 4,000 or 5,000 people in very special categories, I suggested to the House Leaders that they might make the number considerably larger—even up to the original number. Then when it came to conference, the House could take the Senate’s three-year provision, while the Senate would take the larger number from the House.
It was agreed that this item should remain on the “must” list.
Within the limits of this understanding, I know you will do whatever you can to further the progress of the Bill.