When this system is fully in effect. 170.000 quota numbers will be available to the world. exclusive of the Western Hemisphere. Parents. spouses. and children of U.S. citizens will be considered as "immediate relatives" and. as such. will be under no numerical limitation at all. Due to the existence of backlogs of applicants in those nations discriminated against by the national origins system. an annual limitation per coumtry of 20.000 quota immigrants is established. so that in the short run no one nation will be able to receive an unduly disproportionate share of the quota numbers. It is anticipated that after 3 years. these backlogs of intending immigrants will be eliminated in all instances but for one category of Italians. and that situation will be rectified shortly thereafter. The total number of authorized quotas is not increased substantially by this bill. Currently. we authorize the use of 158.561 numbers per year. but this is exclusive of refugees. Under the new law. provision is made for the acceptance of some 10.200 refugees. This is what accounts for the increase in total numbers under this bill from 158.561 to 170.000. Under our new "first come. first served" system. while all immigrants will be in worldwide competition. we will retain certain preferences and. of course. our traditional stringent safeguards. The preferences under this bill reflect our strong humanitarian belief in family unity as well as personal merit. The 170.000 numbers will be made available in the following order of preference: First. 20 percent. or 34.000 quota numbers. to unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
Keywords matched
national origins system immigrants refugees