Speech #850149075

Mr. President. according to the Immigration and Naturalization Act. as amended in the first session of this Congress. certain specified citizens of the United States are declared exempt from the normal rule requiring 2 years residence for an adopted child in this country in order that the adopted child gain full citizenship. The adoptive parents exempted by the amendment adopted last year are: First. members of the Armed Forces. second. persons in the employ of the United States or of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General. or of an American firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade or commerce of the United States. third. employees of a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute. These categories of individuals were provided an exemption from the normal 2year residence requirement because it Is often not possible for them to provide legal custody of an adopted child while resident in the United States for a full 2year period. The nature of their employment dictated that they be given special consideration. I would like to point out at this time that there is another category of individuals who should have been included in this amendment to the Immigration and Naturalization Act. I refer to the missionaries who are sent by our churches to bring American culture to foreign lands. It is quite common practice to provide these missionaries with a 1year furlough period in the United States from time to time.