Marion Moncure Duncan

Marion Moncure Duncan (1912–1978) was president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1962 to 1965. DAR is a patriotic and social organization composed of female descendants of Revolutionary War veterans. The following viewpoint is taken from Duncan’s 1964 testimony before Congress in which she argues against revising immigration law. Duncan asserts that national origins quotas, which since 1921 had limited immigration from places other than northern Europe, should be retained in order to maintain ethnic unity in the United States.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What should be the goals of immigration law, according to Duncan?
2. How are contemporary immigrants different from past immigrants, according to the author?
3. In Duncan’s opinion, why are national origins quotas necessary"

Ispeak in support of maintaining the existing provisions of the Immigration and...