Speech #870124522

Since 1948 Congress has provided for some form of orphan program. During this time some 17.000 orphaned or abandoned children have been able to acquire a home and proper care with American couples. The legislation makes the program permanent and provides that not more than two special nonquota immigrant visas may be issued to orphans adopted by any one U.S. citizen and spouse. unless necessary to prevent the separation of brothers and sisters. This is a sound program and it will mean much in the lives of the persons affected. The legislation also authorizes the issuance of nonquota immigrant visas to aliens who have been accorded preferential status under the Immigration and Nationality Act pursuant to petitions filed by their relatives and approved by the Attorney General prior to last June 30. This provision is designed to expedite the reunification of certain families of citizens of the United States and immigrants admitted for permanent residence. Aliens benefiting from the enactment of this proposal are the parents and unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. and spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of immigrants lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Some of the most heart rending appeals made to me as a Congressman are from constituents who are separated by oceans from their husbands or wives. parents. sons and daughters. Some of these people have been striving for years to have their family reunited. but their loved ones have had to remain overseas and await their turn on a quota list.