Speech #890138273

It is significant. Mr. President. that out of the total of 132 principal quota areas and subquota areas under which visas are available to aliens. 110 of those quotas or subquotas are current at the present time. In other words. if an industry. or a hospital. or a university. or a Government agency needs the services of an alien specialist or skilled worker. no difficulty would be encountered in obtainIng a visa under the first preference portion of the quota for 108 countries. It is true that there would be a delay in issuance in the remaining countries. but not for an indefinite length of time. Perhaps it would not be possible to obtain the immediate entry from the Union of South Africa of a physicist to do research in the structure of metal. but it is quite likely that the need could be met under one of the other quotas. The law is not intended to discriminate in favor of skilled persons from particular areas of the world. and I am satisfied that if a need is established a qualified alien can be found under the present quota system. The present system for according preferential treatment is not so inflexible as it is sometimes alleged. It may not be generally known. but under present procedures if an alien who is temporarily in the country acquires first preference status upon the basis of a petition filed by an employer who needs his services. he will be permitted to remain here so long as he maintains that status even though the first preference portion of the quota to which he is chargeable is oversubscribed.