Author: Clara Pilchak
Publication: Tri City Times Online
Date: September 15, 2016
URL:   www.tricitytimes-online.com/letters-23045.112113-Selective-immigration-ban-already-law.html

Wouldn't it be interesting if at some point during the presidential campaign, one of the candidates asked, "Oh, by the way, has anyone in Washington DC ever heard of the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952?"

I did not know of this Act until recently, but it has been a law for almost 65 years.

Here are the historic facts that would seem to indicate that many, if not most, of the people we elect to work for us in Washington DC do not have the slightest idea of what laws already exist in our country.

After several terrorist incidents were carried out in the United States, Donald Trump was severely criticized for suggesting that the U.S. should limit or temporarily suspend the immigration of certain ethnic groups, nationalities, and even people of certain religions (Muslims).

The criticisms condemned such a suggestion as, among other things, being un-American, dumb, stupid reckless, dangerous and racist. Congressmen and Senators swore that they would never allow such legislation, and our President called such a prohibition on immigration unconstitutional.

As Gomer Pyle would say, "Well, surprise, surprise!" It seems that the selective immigration ban is already law and has been applied on several occasions.

Known as the McCarran-Walter Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 allows for the "Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by the President, whenever the President finds that the entry of aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The President may, by proclamation, and for such a period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants, or impose any restrictions on the entry of aliens he may deem to be appropriate."

And who do you suppose last utilized this process? Why it was President Jimmy Carter, no less than 37 years ago, in 1979, to keep Iranians out of the United States.

But he actually did more. He made all Iranian students already in the United States, check in with the government. And then he deported a bunch of them. Seven thousand were found in violation of their visas, and a total of 15,000 Iranians were forced to leave the USA in 1979.

So what say you about all of the criticism that Donald Trump received from the Democrat Senators, Representatives and the Obama Administration?

Additionally, it is important to note that the McCarran-Walter Act also requires that an "applicant for immigration must be of good moral character and in agreement with the principles of our Constitution."

Therefore, one could surmise that since the Quran forbids Muslims to swear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, technically all Muslims should be refused immigration to our country.

There has been much said about Trump's position on immigration. Some have said that as president, he would not have the power to carry out his programs. The fact is that the powers are already in place and have been executed in the past. A friend sent us the information in this letter. I believe it is important that the citizens of our country know and understand the truth and the laws so as to be well informed.