Speech #900330529

Various inequities in the exemptions from 212(a) (14) accorded to natives of the Western Hemisphere have been pointed out in testimony before the committee and section 7 of the bill brings the exemptions for the two continents into line. In section 8 is incorporated a proposal of the Department of State to make the 2year foreign residence requirement of exchange aliens applicable only to two classes: Aliens whose participation in a program was financed by an agency of this Government or a foreign government or those who come from less developed countries. as defined by the Secretary of State. Waivers would continue to be authorized as they are today. within these two classes. but the vast bulk of the physicians and educators whose program studies are financed by private hospitals and universities would not be required to spend 2 years abroad before becoming immigrants. Section 1 would eliminate the requirement that temporary workers may only be permitted entry into the United States. even though the Secretary of Labor has certified that persons in their occupations are in short supply. if the positions to which they are coming are temporary In nature. The amendment would continue the requirement that the alien be a bona fide nonimmigrant. Additionally. it would be required that he be either a person of distinguished merit and ability or be coming to perform tasks which the Secretary of Labor would determine that unemployed persons in the United States were not available to perform. It would permit the entry of persons under these circumstances. to fill positions which are permanent In nature. such as university professorships. hospital residencies. and some agricultural positions. Removal of the word "industrial" would permit commercial. professional. and other classes of trainees to be admitted under h(3) visas. Sections 2. 3. 4. and 10 are housekeeping amendments which delete the various provisions which related to quota immigration during the transition period and incorporate into the Immigration and Nationality Act certain provisions of the act of October 3. 1965. The further problem that remains unsolved is the effect of the law on those countries which were given such generous allowances under the old national origins quota systems. My subcommittee will make its first order of business in the next Congress the conduct of hearings and the introduction of a committee bill to resolve this problem.