Labor Report

Immigration is the biggest row the Secretary of Labor has to hoe. Three years ago strict quota laws went into effect to try and keep U. S. work for U. S. workmen and not overcrowd the "land of opportunity."

Last week, when Secretary Davis of Labor reported on fiscal 1927, his immigration figures received close attention. They showed:

That despite quota laws, 41,895 more aliens were admitted to the U. S. last year than in 1926--538,001 to 496,106.

Aliens leaving the U. S. for their homes were only 25,753 more numerous in 1927 than in 1926--253,508 to 227,755.

The net increase to U. S. population was thus 16,142 more than in 1926--284,493 to 268,351.

Why is immigration increasing even under strict quota laws?

One reason was found in the rapid growth of the "nonimmigrant alien" class. These aliens are supposed to be visitors or tourists.

161,121 were admitted in 1925.

191,618 were admitted in 1926.

202,826 were admitted in 1927.

The figures made it seem that many a "visitor" might be staying in the U.S.

In addition, there are influxes over both the Canadian and Mexican borders which are unrestricted by quotas. Southwesterners want no restriction on Mexican immigration, which provides cheap ranch and mine labor.

As to the nature of quota-country immigrants, Secretary Davis' report showed three-fourths of them (254,574 in 1927) to be able active persons in-the-prime-of-life, aged 16 to 44.