He has been unable to do any major surgery or obstetrics which he is trained and qualified to do. and fears that he is losing his skill. Dr. Yazdi received his permanent visa in the spring of 1966. But under section 319 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. he will be unable to make application for U.S. citizenship for at least 3 years. This means that Dr. Yazdis full skills will be lost to his community and State for at least this period of time unless some action is taken by Congress. The matter is not simply a State concern because the problem is brought about by a combination of Federal and State laws. The time which Dr. Yazdi has spent here in this country. which ordinarily would be sufficient to qualify him for citizenship. so far has not counted for naturalization purposes because he has been under the exchange visitor program. While I share. and have in the past taken the floor to express. the concern of my colleagues who may feel that to accept for U.S. citizenship the skilled professional people of other nations after they have been trained and could aid in the further development of their countries. is to violate the spirit and intent of the exchange visitor program. I believe that the circumstances in Dr. Yazdis case have changed considerably since his entry into this country as an exchange student. and warrant our granting an exception to a basic policy whose soundness I do not question. The bill which I introduce today remedies the situation I have described by declaring that for the purpose of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Dr. Ataoallah M.
Keywords matched
naturalization Immigration visa