Speech #910180935

Mr. Speaker. I have joined with a number of Members in sponsoring legislation to correct an unintended consequence of the 1965 Immigration Act. The purpose of that legislation is to provide more equitable treatment of immigration from countries discriminated against because of the labor certification provisions of the 1965 law. I sponsored that amendment to the 1965 law because Ireland and the other affected countries that have provided us with so many fine people should not now be the unintended victims of unfair immigration requirements. This amendment has not been acted upon and I feel it is now imperative that overdue relief be provided to the people of Ireland seeking to come to the United States. I have thus chosen St. Patricks Day to introduce legislation that recognizes the grave inequity which exists with reference to immigration from Ireland. I propose that we immediately authorize 2.000 emergency immigrant visas for Ireland because the 1965 law has virtually shut off Irish immigration. It is indeed ironic and unfortunate that we would limit immigration from Ireland. The contributions of Irish Americans to the United States reach into every facet of our lives. our growth has been aided fundamentally by the contributions of Irish immigrants. their children and their grandchildren. We do not seek special treatment for the Irish. But we do seek fair treatmentanything less would be a denial of our creed. When we needed strong hands and willing men to build this country. to build our railroads. to build our canals. we welcomed the Irish. How can we now permit the perpetuation of an unintentional discriminatory practice toward Irish immigration. I hope that permanent corrections in the 1965 law can be accomplished as soon as possible. In the meantime I believe we should authorize additional immigration from Ireland. What I propose is just. fair. and overdue.