Speech #890119512

I yield 30 minutes of my time to the gentleman from California and pending that I now yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr Speaker. House Resolution 533 provides for consideration of H.R. 2580. a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. and for other purposes. The resolution provides an open rule with 5 hours of debate. making it in order to consider the committee substitute as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. The purpose of H.R. 2580 is the elimination of the national origins quota system as a basis for selection of immigrants into the United States. This is a sub.stantial change in the present law. H.R. 2580 establishes a new system of selection for immigrants which is designed to be fair. rational. humane. and in the national interests. Under this system primary preference is based upon the existence of a close family relationship to U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. and not on the existing basis of birthplace or ancestry. Preference is L m also provided for those professional people whose services are urgently needed in the United States. Lesser preference is given to aliens capable of filling labor needs. The annual numerical ceiling for all immigrants is 170.000 with a limitation of 20.000 to any one country. on a firstcome. firstserved basis.