Speech #830132977

The bill was introduced by the Senator from Maryland . and its consideration was objected to yesterday by the Senator from Florida . My information. based upon correspondence with a friend of Mr. Colbourns. is that he is not now in this country as an exchange student under the SmithMundt Act. but is rather here as a private student. at his own expense. under an ordinary student visa. I am informed that Mr. Colbourn was. at one time. the recipient of a SmithMundt grant. but that he left this country upon the expiration of his visa under that act. as required by law. and attempted to obtain employment in England as a teacher of American history. but was unsuccessful. Hit immigration difficulties at present arise from the fact that he is Australian by birth. although he has not lived in that country since he was about 3 years old. Thus. his present difficulties do not arise by virtue of failure to comply with the provisions of the SmithMundt Act requiring return to country of origin. but because the Australian quota is oversubscribed. I am fully in accord with the provision of the SmithMundt Act requiring the return of grantees. and do not believe this principle should be vitiated by private bills. However. I do not believe this principle should be held to bar. forever. one who has complied with it by returning to his country. and who is now in this country under some other provision of the immigration laws.