Speech #910126409

Retention of the prohibition as to natives of Canada. Mexico. and adjacent islands will serve to deter nonimmigrant entry into the United States with the secret purpose of adjusting status once physically present. The bill would establish a board of visa appeals with jurisdiction to review denials of immigrant visas upon petition by any citizen of the United States claiming that an alien outside the United States is entitled to a preference status by relationship to the petitioner under section 203(a) (1). (4). or (5) or an immediate relative status under section 201(b). The board of visa appeals would also have jurisdiction to review the denial of a visa upon petition by an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence claiming that an alien outside the United States is entitled to a preference status by relationship to the petitioner under section 203(a) (2). It is important to emphasize that only the U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien could petition the board of visa appeals. The alien would have no right of petition himself nor would the alien have a right to appear before the board. Fiances or fiancees of U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens would be eligible for nonimmigrant visas if they entered the United States to marry within 90 days. If a bona fide marriage did not take place within the allotted 90day period. the alien would be obligated to leave the United States. If the alien did marry. the alien would be eligible to apply for adjustment of status as the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident.