Mr. President. I introduce. for appropriate reference. a bill to eliminate the date of termination of the provisions of law authorizing issuance of nonquota immigrant visas to certain alien orphans. and for other purposes. Among the happiest letters I have received in recent days are those from American citizens who became the adopting parents of children brought from other countries. There are many American couples. childless or with children of their own. who are eager to care for deserted children and can provide them with good homes. but find it difficult to obtain such children in this country. Within the past 10 years. more than 10.000 children have been admitted to this country to join American families. Experience has shown that orphans admitted under earlier special legislation have successfully adjusted to American family life. The present law exempting such children from the immigration quotas expires on June 30. The purpose of the bill I am introducing is to provide permanent authority for nonquota immigrant visas for such children. This bill strengthens the provisions of the law that existed and extends to children adopted abroad safeguards similar to those which now exist for children adopted in this country. Such provisions should eliminate any abuses which may have existed in the past. An American couple wishing to secure a visa for a child adopted abroad would have to give assurances satisfactory to the Department of Health. Education. and Welfare that the child will be well and properly cared for in a suitable home. Also. a nonquota visa may not be issued to admit children to this country for adoption unless assurances have been given that they will be properly cared for and preadoption requirements. if any. of the State in which the child is to live. have been met.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigration visas visa