Mr. President. on behalf of my colleague the junior Senator from New York and myself. I introduce. for appropriate reference. a bill to provide for the issuance of additional visas to certain alien orphans. There is indeed a most compelling need for speedy enactment of this proposed legislation. Under the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. the Congress made provision for the issuance of 4.000 special nonquota immigrant visas for eligible orphans. This special quota was exhausted even before the authority to issue visas under the act terminated on December 31. 1956. The Senate. cognizant of the existing situation with respect to the many American families. here and abroad. who had adopted foreignborn crphans. last year passed a bill. introduced by the distinguished Senator from Illinois . similar to the one being introduced today. Unfortunately. the House of Representatives did not consider this matter prior to the adjournment of the 84th Congress. As a result. President Eisenhower authorized. pending congressional action. a waiver of the visa requirement for such children. and their parole to their parents. The distinguished Senator from Michigan has introduced a bill to remedy this situation. through amending the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill which my colleague and I are introducing today carries forward for 2 years the authority contained in the Refugee Relief Act. and provides for the issuance of an additional 5.000 nonquota visas for certain alien orphans. It is our hope that this most important matter will receive committee consideration as soon as possible. Mr.
Keywords matched
immigrant Immigration Refugee visa visas