Speech #900023975

I have introduced this bill for an additional reason. My bill. H.R. 6677. would restore more flexibility to the existing laws definition of "skilled workers." Under the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965. all intending immigrants without preference must first secure approval. or labor certification. from the Secretary of Labor. stating that their admission will not adversely affect U.S. citizens similarly employed. before their applications for immigration will receive even initial consideration. This harassing requirement not only causes additional paperwork and administration of the alien employment certification program. but It has also been admitted that immigrants add but a tiny fraction to our labor force. There are some occupations which can never reach the list for automatic certification by the Department of Labor. such as the agricultural workerthe farmerwho is in this category. The country and the people most affected by the existing law is Ireland. As we all know. the Irish have long been our traditional immigrants. but now they are restricted because the majority of those wishing to come to the United States must apply for this certification to gain entry. I have introduced this bill to insure that those in this categorythe Irish as well as other nationalitiescan have a fairer chance of admission to the United States under a flexible standard of skills. Why should the Irish be discriminated against when they have in the past come here. worked long and hard hours to better themselves. as all of our ancestors--regardless of their national originhave done before us? Because certain conditions exist in Ireland for the person of average means. the Irish for years have Immigrated to this country In quest of furthering themselves as individuals and have in turn given much to their adopted country. We must always remember that the greatness of our country has been based on the fact that we are a nation of immigrants. The effect of my bill. H.R. 6677. would be to put the law back to where it was prior to December 1. 1965. Up to that time. it was up to the Government to prove that an alien would take work away from available American laborers. since the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965. the burden of proof is on the alien. The Department of Labor has agreed to rewrite the regulations to redefine skills. but it is unlikely that farmers will ever benefit unless my bill. H.R. 6677. is passed. At this point. I include the text of my bill in the REcoRD: H. 6677 A bill to amend section 212(a) (14) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States o/ America in Congress assembled. That section 212(a) (14) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (66 Stat. 182. as amended. 8 U.S.C. 1182) is amended to read as follows: "(14) Aliens seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor. if the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Secretary of State and to the Attorney General that (A) there are available in the United States at the aliens proposed destination sufficient workers able. willing. and qualified at the time of application for a visa and for admission to the United States. to perform such skilled or unskilled labor. or (B) the employment of such aliens will adversely affect the wages and working conditions of workers in the United States similarly employed. The exclusion of aliens under this paragraph shall apply to special immigrants defined in section 101(a) (27) (A) other than parents. spouses. or children of United States citizens or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. and to nonpreference immigrant aliens described in section 203(a) (8) ." Szc. 2. Section 101(a) (27) (A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (66 Stat. 166. as amended. 8 U.S.C. 1101) is amended to delete the proviso and the colon preceding the proviso is hereby changed to a semicolon. Szc. 3. The last sentence of section 203 (a) (8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (66 Stat. 175. as amended. 8 U.S.C. 1153) is hereby repealed.