Mr. Speaker. I am sure our colleagues are aware of the immigration case involving John Lennon and his wife. Yoko Ono. Mr. Lennon is being ordered to leave the United States because the law automatically bars from permanent residence anyone who has ever been convicted of a drug violation. His record shows a conviction for "possession of marihuana" in a British court in 1968. Clearly. there are reasons why the immigration statute would be strict with aliens involved in drugs. But to treat an alien convicted for possession of marihuana the same way a dealer in heroin is treated is certainly unjust. To deal with such cases in a compassionate manner. I have introduced a bill with 12 cosponsors to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the Attorney General. at his discretion. to waive the now automatic bar to immigration of aliens who have been convicted. at any time in their lives. of marihuana possession. This bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator ALAN
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