These permanent residents have fallen into a legislative gap which on one side benefits temporary visitors from abroad and. on the other side. U.S. citizens. If an amateur enthusiazt is merely visiting the United States on a student. business. or tourist visa. he can obtain an authorization to operate amateur radio equipment while he is here if his home country offers reciprocal rights to our citizens. However. if the very same person decides to settle in this country. he will be completely cut off from all right to enjoy his ham radio activities. In order to correct this unfair and discriminatory oversight in the present law. my bill will authorize the FCC to issue amateur radio licenses to permanent residents whenever they have filed a declaration of intent to become U.S. citizens. I am happy to report that since last March. when the bill was introduced. there has been a growing movement of support for the cause of the immigrant radio amateurs. First. the bill has received the endorsement of the American Radio Relay League which represents most of the 270.000 Americans who are members of the ham fraternity. Second. it also has received the backing of the International Amateur Radio Union which consists of 80 national societies representing radio amateurs from most other countries of the world.
Keywords matched
immigrant visa