Speech #860011331

Mr. Speaker. this appears to be an appropriate time to explain to the House the policy of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality of the Committee on the Judiciary in immigration cases involving aliens who entered this country under the international educational exchange program orsubsequent to entryacquired the status of exchange students. exchange trainees. exchange professors. and so forth. In my opinion. the exchange program is one of the finest manifestations of international cooperation and one of the most useful mutual assistance programs in which this country is engaged. It is an exchange of brainpower. if I may say so. exchange of experience in the technical knowhow and in intellectual achievement. implementing most appropriately the military and economic mutual assistance undertakings. The legal basis for the program is section 201 of the act of January 27. 1948. known as the SmithMundt Act. amended by section 402 (f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. the WalterMcCarran Act. The law authorizes the Secretary of State to provide for interchanges on a reciprocal basis between the United States and other countries of students. trainees. teachers. guest instructors. professors and leaders in fields of specialized knowledge or skill. It further authorizes the Secretary of State to provide for orientation courses and other appropriate services for exchange personnel coming here from other countries and for Americans. or residents of this country. going abroad under the program. The law states further that the Secretary of State shall terminate or limit the educational exchange program with respect to a country which fails or refuses to cooperate in the program on the basis of reciprocity. Conversely. the participating countries retain the right to terminate or modify the terms of their cooperation with the United States if we do not fulfill the requirements of reciprocal service. Exchange personnel selected for the purposes of the program are admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants. pursuant to section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. For the purpose of easy identification of the terms of their admission. it has been administratively decided to mark their nonimmigrant visas with the symbol "EX." Mr. Speaker. the international educational exchange program was not very long in operation when an increasing number of exchange personnelmost of them persons with impressive educational background and professional skills in many fields of human endeavorhave undertaken attempts to remain in the United States permanently. Their reluctance to depart from this country in accordance with the terms of their admission and their desire to settle in the United States were obviously prompted or stimulated by the fact that many American institutions of learning. hospitals. industrial corporations. laboratories. and so forth. became attracted to the highly skilled individuals and offered them permanent employment.