Speech #870102630

If there be no amendment to be proposed. the question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. read the third time. and passed. as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives o1 the United States of America in Congress assembled. That on or before June 30. 1963. special nonquota immigrant visas may be Issued in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of this Act to eligible orphans as defined in section 2 of this Act who are under fourteen years of age at the time the petition is filed with the Attorney general as required by section 3 of this Act. Not more than two such special nonquota immigrant visas may be issued to eligible orphans adopted or to be adopted by any one United States citizen and spouse. unless necessary to prevent the separation of brothers or sisters. No natural parent of any such eligible orphan shall thereafter. by virtue of such parentage. be accorded any right. privilege. or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act. SEC. 2. When used in this Act. the term "eligible orphan" shall mean an alien child who (1) is an orphan because of the death or disappearance of both parents. or because of abandonment or desertion by. or separation or loss from. both parents. or who has only one parent due to the death or disappearance of. abandonment or desertion by. or separation or loss from the other parent and the remaining parent is incapable of providing care for such orphan and has in writing irrevocably released him from emigration and adoption. (2) (A) has been lawfully adopted abroad by a United States citizen and spouse. or (B) is coming to the United States for adoption by a United States citizen and spouse. and (3) is ineligible for admission into the United States solely because that portion of the quota to which he would otherwise be chargeable is oversubscribed by applicants registered on the consular waiting list at the time his visa application is made. SEC. 3. Any United States citizen and spouse claiming that any eligible orphan is entitled to a nonquota immigrant status under section 1 of this Act may file a petition with the Attorney General. The petition shall be in such form and shall contain such information and be supported by such documentary evidence as the Attorney General may by regulations prescribe. The petition shall establish to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that the petitioners will care for such eligible orphan properly if he is admitted to the United States and. if such eligible orphan has not been lawfully adopted abroad. that they will adopt such orphan in the United States and that the preadoption requirements. if any. of the State of such orphans proposed residence have been met. After an investigation of the facts in each case. the Attorney General shall. if he determines the facts stated in the petition are true and that the petitioning United States citizen and spouse are persons of good moral character. approve the petition and forward one copy thereof to the Department of State. The Secretary of State shall then authorize the consular officer concerned to grant nonquota immigrant status to the beneficiary of such petition after the consular officer has determined that such beneficiary is an eligible orphan as herein defined. SEC. 4. Any visa which has been or shall be issued to an eligible orphan under this Act or under any other immigration law to a child lawfully adopted by a United States citizen and spouse while such citizen is serving abroad in the United States Armed Forces. or is employed abroad by the United States Government. or is temporarily abroad on business. shall be valid until such time. for a period not to exceed three years. as the adoptive citizen parent returns to the United States in due course of his service. employment. or business.