Speech #890120916

Chairman. the principal amendment of the three read by the Clerk is the Western Hemisphere numerical ceiling amendment which was discussed at length during general debate on the bill. The other amendments must necessarily follow the principal amendment. The first of these conforming amendments would require cancellation of one of the 115.000 special visa numbers allotted to the Western Hemisphere whenever the Attorney General cancels the deportation of an alien from the Western Hemisphere and records his lawful admission for permanent residence. The second conforming amendment would have as its purpose charging the numerical limitation upon special visa numbers for the Western Hemisphere with the number for each approved application for adjustment of status involving a native of the Western Hemisphere. May I say to the Members of the House that these two conforming amendments would give to my proposed 115.000 numerical ceiling the same effect given to the 170.000 numerical ceiling for all countries external to the Western Hemisphere as recommended by the full committee. I think it is fair to say that the only objections raised to my amendment pertain to the fact that in someones subjective opinion it would be disadvantageous to the foreign policy of the United States in that policys application to our friends and neighbors south of the Rio Grande. May I say to those who insist that we give high preferential treatment to the Caribbean area and to Latin America: Would they have American foreign policy declare that a Swede. a German. an Irishman. an Italian. or a Japanese is less desirable as a future citizen of the United States than a native of Panama or Jamaica or Paraguay or El Salvador? Do we really wish today in this Chamber to put our stamp of approval on a double standard in immigration? I have listened to the distinguished chairman of the full Committee on the Judiciary ridicule my proposal of a ceiling of 115.000 plus immediate family members for the Western Hemisphere. Mr. Chairman. if a 170.000 ceiling has merit for all countries external to the Western Hemisphere. does not a very generous numerical ceiling applicable to the Western Hemisphere also have merit? Are we really desirous of saying that it is our intent and purpose to control immigration from the more than 100 countries across the Atlantic and Pacific by legislative ceilings. but that we will rely on administrative controls to keep in proper balance the immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean?