Speech #890199976

Mr. Speaker. on April 6. I introduced H.R. 14320. a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. as amended. so that aliens who are deemed ineligible to receive an immigrant visa because of a mental defect may be accorded the same opportunity. under the same conditions. which is given to aliens deemed ineligible because of mental retardation. to requesf that their exclusion be waived. In order to present in an intelligible manner the reasons and the need for this legislation. I must review the legislative history of section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section itemizes the general classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas and excluded from admission to the United States. For the purposes of H.R. 14320. such review can be limited to the inadmissibility of mentally retarded aliens. It will also be necessary. in justifying the need for the bill. to examine the performance of the U.S.