Speech #900199216

Because of the urgency of the situation. it is my hope that the entire body of the House will take action on this legislation as soon as possible. The proposed bill follows: H.R. 14808 A bill for the relief of certain distressed aliens Be is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That. notwithstanding the provisions of any other law. there are hereby authorized to be issued two thousand special immigrant visas to aliens specified in section 2 of this Act seeking to enter the United States as immigrants. The spouse and children of any such alien. if accompanying or following to join. may be issued special immigrant visas notwithstanding such numerical limitation. SEC. 2. Visas authorized to be issued under section 1 of this Act shall be issued only to natives of Italy who were uprooted by the earthquakes in Sicily subsequent to January 12 1968. and are unable to return to their usual place of residence in Sicily and are in urgent need of assistance for the essentials of life. SEC. 3. Visas authorized to be Issued under this Act may be Issued by consular officers as defined In the Immigration and Nationality Act in accordance with the provisions of section 221 of that Act: Provided. That each 1uch alien is found to be eligible to be issued an immigrant visa and to be admitted to the United States under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act: Provided further. That a visa is not immediately available to such alien at the time of his application for a visa. SEC. 4. Aliens receiving visas under section 1 of this Act shall be exempt from paying the fees prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. SEC. 5. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act. the definitions contained in section 101 (a) and (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply in the administration of this Act. National FFA Week