Speech #910126569

To further the objective which was written into the 1965 law of reuniting families by facilitating the entry of fiances or fiancees of American citizens or permanent resident aliens. and accord second preference status to the parents of permanent resident aliens. Fourth. To broaden the humanitarian policy of granting asylum to refugees from all areas of the world by allowing 10 percent of the total annual quota to enter as immigrants rather than as conditional entrants. Fifth. To establish a worldwide ceiling of 300.000 immigrants annually. exclusive of immediate family members of U.S. citizens and other special immigrants. the ceiling would become effective July 1. 1973and in the meantime the existing ceiling of 170.000 immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere would continue and the ceiling of immigrants from the Western Hemisphere would be increased from 120.000 to 130.000. because of the exceptional status accorded the Cuban refugee program. such refugees who elected to adjust their status under the act of November 2. 1966. would not be counted against this Western Hemisphere ceiling. the present 20.000 annual limit on immigrants from any single country in the Eastern Hemisphere would be made applicable to countries of the Western Hemisphere. except that Canada and Mexico are given individual ceilings of 35.000 each. Sixth. To establish an independent Board of Visa Appeals within the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs of the Department of State. which would have jurisdiction to review the denial of an immigrant visa to a relative of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien upon the petition of such citizen or resident alien. Seventh. To establish a statute of limitations to prevent deportation of permanent resident aliens: First. for the sole reason of conduct which occurred or conditions which existed 10 years prior to the institution of deportation proceedings. or second. who entered the country prior to age 14 and have resided in the United States for 10 years immediately preceding the institution of deportation proceedings. or third. who have lived continuously in the United States for at least 20 years immediately preceding the institution of deportation proceedings. Eighth. To waive the naturalization requirements of literacy in the English language for aliens who are 50 years of age and who have been living in the United States for at least 20 years. Ninth. To establish a Select Commission on Nationality and Naturalization. to make a full and complete study and investigation of all aspects of the naturalization policies under the immigration laws. Mr. President. during the first session of the 90th Congress. I introduced several pieces of legislation containing some of the provisions which I have outlined and I am happy that they are included in this omnibus bill. As a member of the Committee on the Judiciary. and one who helped to draft the landmark Immigration Reform Act of 1965. it is my firm hope that both Houses of Congress will move promptly and expeditiously to enact this very meritorious omnibus bill. By enacting these changes. we will be bringing the Immigration and Nationality Act into even closer harmony with the traditional American precepts of fairplay and equal justice for all under the law. I shall urge the Committee on the Judiciary to schedule comprehensive and complete hearings on this measure early in the next session. In 1965. 76 Senators joined to write reforms to our basic immigration laws which were the most far reaching in our history. but we have yet to give the last full measure of our devotion to the first principles of our Nation insofar as our immigration policies are concerned. and it is my hope that the Congress will wholeheartedly support this legislation and thereby further the ends of immigration reform.