Speech #910019030

And we are talking of the millions of less reknowned. but equally important IrishAmericans who have been instrumental in the building of our country. These are the merchants. industrial leaders. scientists. policemen. and governmental leaders who are so important in our Nation today. In an era when we need good. hardworking. dedicated Americans. it is foolish to discriminate against immigrants from Ireland. for from Ireland have come millions of Americans totally committed to their new homeland. The bill which I am cosponsoring would establish a floor for the number of visas available to each country. This guaranteed annual minimum would be either 75 percent of the annual average of the number of visas issued to a country during the 10year period 195565. or 10.000. whichever is less. The overall limit of 170.000 immigration places for all Eastern Hemisphere countries would not apply to additional visas issued under this legislation. so the number of visas available to other countries would not be affected. The current severe restriction on the number of visas available to Ireland was completely unforeseen and unintended when we enacted the 1965 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act. On the contrary. the amendments were seen as a sweeping and liberal reform of our immigration system. which had for 40 years based the number from a given country allowed through our "golden door" on the national origins of the American population in 1920. The legislative intent behind the 1965 amendments was the elimination of national prejudice In our immigration policy. We clearly were only partially successful. and I urge immediate further amendment of the Immigration and Nationality Act to insure availability of an adequate and realistic number of visas for all countries.