Speech #880067946

Subsection (b) eliminates the second preference for parents of American citizens. now accorded nonquota status by section 6. Subsection (c) grants a fourth preference. up to 50 percent of numbers not issued to the first three preferences. to parents of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. It also grants a subsidiary preference to qualified quota immigrants capable of filling particular labor shortages in the United States. Under present law. if an immigrant does not meet the rigorous standards of the skilled specialist category. he is not preferred to any other immigrant even though he may answer a definite need in the United States which the other immigrant does not. The amendment allows to persons filling such a definite need a preference of 50 percent of visas remaining after all family preferences have been satisfied or exhausted. Section 9 amends section 204 of the Immigration andNationality Act. which establishes the procedure for determining eligibility for preferred status under section 203. Paragraphs (1). (2). and (3) provide for the filing of petitions. on behalf of the workers granted preference by section 8. by the persons who will employ them to fill the special needs. Paragraph (1) provides for approval of these petitions by the Attorney General. and paragraph (2) requires that he consult with the Immigration Board and interested departments of government before granting preference to these workers with lesser skills. Paragraph (2) also exempts skilled specialists from the present petition procedure. to conform to the new procedure established in paragraph (4). Under present law. persons with high education. technical training. experience or ability. may qualify for preferred status only when a petition requesting their services is filed by a U.S. employer.