Speech #870167097

Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 559 provides for the consideration of H.R. 10079. a bill to amend section 104 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. and for other purposes. The resolution provides for an open rule with 2 hours of general debate. The purpose of H.R. 10079 is to abolish the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs of the Department of State as originally established. and to divide its present principal functions into first. a specialized office headed by an officer with the rank of Assistant Secretary of State. and second. an administrative unit charged with security functions such as investigation and supervision of personnel of the Department of State pertaining to suitability and loyalty to the United States. security of the Department of State and its establishments abroad. and physical security. The specialized office headed by an Assistant Secretary of State would have the responsibility for: First. the administration of passport laws. second. the determination of nationality of a person outside of the United States. third. the administration of the immigration laws relating to issuance of visas. fourth. the participation of the United States in international migration organizations and the effectuation of their purposes. and fifth. such other related matters affecting consular affairs as may be assigned to the office by the Secretary of State. The bill also would reenact three provisions of the Mutual Security Act authorizing the operation or the participation by the United States in defined programs of assistance to certain migrants and refugees. and would authorize the appropriation of funds for such programs. In addition. the bill H.R. 10079 would authorize the appropriation of funds to assist certain refugees from Western Hemisphere countries who fled to the United States in fear of persecution. which assistance has been hitherto rendered by using the Presidents contingency funds for the benefit of refugees from Cuba. Mr. Speaker.