Speech #920000693

There have been numerous suggestions for closing the tourist gap. and the bill I am introducing today represents another one. which I feel merits favorable consideration. While encouraging Americans to see America first. we are neglecting the other side of the coin: Encouraging Europeans to see America. too. I believe that the antiquated and cumbersome requirements that wouldbe tourists to this country must meet to be granted the necessary nonimmigrant visas is in more cases than we know a positive deterrent to tourism. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act. the burden of proof rests with aliens wishing to visit this country to establish to the satisfaction of the American consul at the point of application: that they have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning. that they are interested in visiting the United States temporarily for business or for pleasure. and that they meet approximately 30 requirements. regarding their physical. mental. moral. philosophical. and political states and beliefs. These requirements are equally applicable to those seeking to enter as permanent residents and to those merely wishing to come as tourists. My bill. which would apply only to tourists. or to quote from the bill"aliens who are seeking to enter the United States as temporary visitors for business or pleasure for a period of not more than ninety days"-would exempt them from all but the most serious of these 30plus requirements. Further. this legislation would apply only to nationals of foreign countries designated by the Secretary of State on the basis of reciprocity or on the basis of a determination that such a designation would promote the foreign policy of the United States. It is relevant here that approximately 35 nations do not even require visas from American tourists. we require them from nationals of all countries except Canada and Mexico. I want also to emphasize that the purpose of this bill is exactly what it saysto facilitate the entry of foreign tourists into the United States. Aliens entering under this program would have no option either to extend their 90day time limit or to adjust their status. They would be required to possess a valid passport and a nonrefundable roundtrip ticket. Any allen who willfully remained beyond the 90day period would be penalized by a delay of 2 years in his priority date for issuance of an immigrant visa. My bill does not repeal our current nonimmigrant visa program. it is an attempt to establish an alternative. less timeconsuming and cumbersome program for the ordinary tourist. This legislation would in no way endanger the security of our country. Those who threaten potential danger to our people would continue to be totally excludedthe confirmed criminal. the insane. those afflicted with contagious diseases. anarchists. and violators of our narcotics laws. to give examples.