710.G Economic and Financial Problems/20: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Hull)
92. Reference your 46, December 11, 8 p.m. After conference with Department of Labor and the President you are authorized to say that the President is prepared to amend the existing Executive Order so as to waive passport and visa formalities in the case of properly identified citizens of all the States of the Western Hemisphere coming [Page 193] to the United States as tourists or temporarily for business or pleasure.
For your information the Department of Labor points out that the question will doubtless arise as to who are properly identified citizens. The experience of that Department with aliens already covered in part II paragraph 4 of the Executive Order shows that documentary evidence of citizenship is rarely required but in cases where it is the evidence may be either by passport or certificate of naturalization.
The Department of Labor suggests further that you have in mind that an Executive Order is binding neither upon the President’s successor nor upon Congress which has the final voice in all such matters and may by legislation change the situation.
You may also wish to have in mind that the question of applying the immigration quota to all Latin American countries has been discussed annually in Congress and while no legislation has so far been adopted further agitation of this subject may be expected to occur.
In connection with your proposed action it is suggested that you have in mind the desirability of like action on the part of other governments on this hemisphere in the interest of growing travel on business or pleasure from the United States to all parts of Latin America. The requirements in respect to passports, health and police certificates and other documents now imposed by certain Latin American countries are more burdensome to our people than any requirement which your proposed action would relinquish as to their nationals. It would be very desirable to have those requirements removed if you should go further with your proposal.