Back to Capitol Hill from the White House went the McCarran-Walter bill, an attempt by Congress to codify the myriad immigration and nationalization laws of the U.S. Harry Truman had vetoed it with a long, scolding message.
The President sided with the minority of legislators who had cried out against the bill because it restated the old doctrine of national origins, under which North and West European immigrants are favored over South and East Europeans (TIME, June 2). Wrote Truman in a 4,000-word message:
"The idea behind this discriminatory policy...is utterly unworthy of our traditions and ideals. It violates the...
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