Speech #850139046

This legislation also grants permanent -residence to those unfortunate people who were forced under the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 to misrepresent not only their nationality but their place of birth as well. for fear of repatriation to Soviet Russia or to other countries dominated by Communist governments. This especially applies to the White Russians. This bill also permits the entry. under proper bond and medical safeguards. of close relatives of United States citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. although such immigrants may have been afflicted with tuberculosis. There is an amendment that provides that in every individual case the Attorney General must report to the Congress. Such authority expires on June 30. 1959. In addition. nonquota status is granted under this bill to first-. second-. and thirdpreference immigrants. comprising parents of United States citizens and wives and children of aliens admitted for permanent residence. if such petitions conferring such preferential status were approved by the Immigration Service prior to July 1. 1957. It also contains a provision that will clarify the application of that provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act which bars from entry into the United States immigrants who may have committed a crime involving moral turpitude. The Attorney General is granted authority to waive various crimes provided such is not against the best interest of the United States. This one provision alone would alleviate the necessity of the introduction of hundreds of private bills for persons who are otherwise eligible but who may have been tried and convicted for having stolen food. clothing. or other things of little value during or after World War II. This authority given to the Attorney General would help to reunite families where severe hardship exists. Another provision makes available approximately 18.500 nonquota immigrant visas for expellees of German ethnic origin. residing in West Germany or Austria. and also for Dutch nationals. These visas had not been applied for at the time of the expiration of the act providing such. Mr. Speaker. I deeply and genuinely sympathize with all of these gallant and brave Hungarian. Polish. and other patriots who are striking telling sledgehammer blows against the chains of their Russian dictators who dominate and occupy their native land. Under the parole provision of existing law of the Immigration and Naturalization Act. approximately 27.000 of these brave Hungarians were admitted as parolees to this country last year when they needed succor and asylum. The fact that this bill does not provide a nonquota permanent residence for them at this time is not to be construed that your committee is not in sympathy with the problem. It was determined by the majority of your committee that it was to the best interest of America that these folks remain in parole status here in this country until such time as adequate and thorough checks have been made on their past political activities.