Speech #890137879

The committee members are to be congratulated for the way in which they have dealt with this difficult and complex subject. They have done their job well. placing first things first. They have removed the discriminatory aspects of our immigration policy. They have emphasized the humanitarian task of reuniting families. They have included provisions to facilitate the entry of skilled workers while taking precautionary measure to Insure that American Jobs and working condition will be protected. By once and for all eliminating the arbitrary and discriminatory national origins formula for selecting immigrants to come to the United States. we have finally come firmly to grips with the most serious deficiency of the McCarranWalter Act. Too often in the past we have enacted limited or temporary measures. often on an ad hoc basis. to meet an emergency situation or to deal with a problem not covered in the basic statute. This bill represents an effective and realistic approach to the important task of reshaping and modernizing our basic immigration policy. I hope that it will be passed without further delay. The bill makes the following changes in our current immigration law: First. It raises the number of quota visas available each year from the present 158.561 to 170.000. It provides that no quota area can get more than 20.000 numbers in any fiscal year. Second. It abolishes the "national origins" formula for distributing quota numbers among the countries of the world. and substitutes new selection system on a firstcome. firstqualified basis. within the percentage limitations of the adjusted preference categories. Third. It establishes a new set of preferences giving highest priority to close family members of U.S. citizens and resident aliens. and to immigrants with special talents or skills which are potentially beneficial to our national wellbeing. Fourth. It extends nonquota status to parents of U.S. citizens. such citizens being 21 years of age or older.