While emergency shelter was provided for most of these people. many of the temporary quarters were destroyed by subsequent tremors and floods. Unfortunately. the future is bleak in this underdeveloped area. � Various European nations have opened their doors to the earthquake victims. However. although many of these homeless people are close relatives of American citizens and have waited for a considerable time to obtain visas to join their families in this country. our immigration laws do not take their current plight into account and they are counted against the ceiling of total Italian immigration. Therefore. as there is no specific provision for the issuance of any special visas to them. I have today introduced legislation authorizing 2.000 special immigrant visas for the immediate entry into the United States of Italian earthquake victims. This legislation is certainly consistent with our traditional policy of aiding those made homeless by catastrophe or oppression and similar legislation was enacted in 1958 to assist Portuguese victims of the volcanic eruptions in the Azores. My bill applies to only those earthquake victims whose homes and means of support have been destroyed and they must still fulfill the present eligibility requirements for the issuance of immigrant visas such as health. good character. and so on. Mr. Speaker. we must act with great urgency to help alleviate the suffering and distress of these unfortunate people and I urge the prompt enactment of this legislation.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigration visas