Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

Secretary’s Staff Meetings, lot 63 D 75, “Notes 61–120”

No. 739
Notes on the Secretary’s Staff Meeting, February 10, 1953, 9:30 a.m.

[Extract]

secret

[Washington, February 10, 1953.]

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Immigration Legislation Effect on Italian Elections

13. Mr. Linder said that Mr. Draper had proposed that it might be desirable to introduce interim legislation which would improve the atmosphere for the Italian elections by permitting a certain amount of Italian immigration into this country. Mr. Linder suggested that perhaps a Congressional resolution might have the necessary beneficial effects. The Secretary said that he had heard nothing in Rome from Prime Minister De Gasperi on this matter.¹ Mr. Bonbright suggested a cable to Ambassador Bunker requesting his views. The Secretary believed it would be desirable to await word from Bunker or a move from the Italians.

14. Mr. Humelsine said that any bill on this subject should be handled with extreme care with prior consultation with Congress since the bargaining power the Department previously had for such legislation was not effective since passage of the McCarran Act. Mr. Morton said the only argument possible to support the presentation of such legislation would be the effect on Italian elections. The Secretary said that it might be possible to submit a bill to let some Italians into this country to create a better atmosphere for the Italian elections, but he believed the fewer measures submitted to Congress designed to affect foreign elections the better. He noted that any such legislation would probably involve amendments with regard to immigrants from other over-populated countries which would necessarily complicate the problem.

15. Mr. Linder said Mr. Draper had suggested, as an alternative, continued U.S. aid to resettle Italians in other countries. This, however, raised the question of the possibility of any real contribution to economic development in places such as Latin America through immigration of Italian workers. The Secretary said there were indications in the White House that the President had some doubts regarding the efficacy of artificial migration and, therefore, there might not be a great deal of support from the White House for such programs. He said that apparently the President did not have in mind any specific program.²

1. Regarding Dulles’ visit to Rome, see the editorial note, supra.
2. A memorandum from Linder and Bonbright to John Foster Dulles, Feb. 25, recommended, among other things, that the Secretary urge the President to request Congress to pass emergency legislation at an early date authorizing admission into the United States during the following 2 years of 240,000 nonquota immigrants, including 75,000 Italians. (Italian Desk files, lot 56 D 289, “1236—Refugees & DP’s”)