Speech #870077382

My protests and representations made to high officials of the executive branch remain without effect. I am convinced that the dangerous situation about to be created by the illadvised appointments should be immediately corrected by the Congress. The language of my bill is as follows: A bill to amend section 104 of the Immigration and Nationality Act for the purpose of establishing the Office of Passports and Visas. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That (a) section 104(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1104) is hereby amended by deleting the following: "(2) the powers. duties. and functions of thxe Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs." and inserting in lieu thereof: "(2) tho powers. duties. and functions of the Office of Passports and Visas.". (b) Section 104 (b). (c). (d). and (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is hereby amended to read as follows: "(b) There is hereby established in the Department of State an Office of Passports and Visas to be headed by a Dire ator with rank and compensation equal to that of an Assistant Secretary of State. who shall be appointed by the President. by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director shall be a citizen of the United States qualified by experience in the administration of immigration and nationality laws. and shall maintain close liaison with the appropriate committees of Congress in order that they may be advised regarding the administration of this Act. The Director shall be charged with any and all responsibility and authority in the administration of the Office and of this Act which are conferred on the Secretary of State as may be delegated to him by the Secretary of State or which may be prescribed by the 3ecretary of State. (c) Within the Office of Passports and Visas there shall be a Passport Service and a Visa Division each headed. respectively. by a Deputy Director of the Office appointed by the President. by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. qualified by experience in the administration of the immigration and nationality laws. (d) The functions heretofore performed by the Passport Office and the Visa Office. respectively. shall hereafter be performed by the Passport Service and the Visa Division. respectively. "(e) The Secretary of State is hereby authorized to appoint a General Counsel of the Office of Passports and Visas. who shall maintain close liaison with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and with the appropriate committees of Congress with a view to securing uniform interpretations of the provisions of this Act." (c) Subsection (f) of section 104 of the Immigration and Nationality Act is hereby repealed.