Speech #940019166

Each $20.000 spent by foreign tourists in the United States creates one new job. This is why I reintroduced H.R. 190. a bill I sponsored in past Congresses. H.R. 190 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate the entry of foreign tourists into the United States. It would grant the Secretary of State and the Attorney General authority to exempt visitors coming for 90 days or less from all but the most serious of the 30odd grounds of ineligibility. as well as from the visa requirement. only a passport would be necessary. This privilege 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. Approximately 35 nations do not require visas from American tourists. we require them from nationals of all countries except Canada and Mexico. There is no danger that this bill would create loopholes in our immigration law or escape hatches for illegal aliens. Sections 6 and 7 are specifically aimed at curbing the employment of illegal aliens by establishing penalties both for their employers and for nonimmigrants who accept employment in violation of their status. Thorough safeguards are also provided to prevent abuse of the foreign visitor provisions. 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 round trip ticket. Any alien 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. Those who threaten danger to our people would continue to be totally excludedthe confirmed criminal. the insane. those afflected with contagious diseases. anarchists. and violators of our narcotics laws. to give example. In brief. the bill would simplify the procedure for granting a visitors permit without in any way jeopardizing the security of our country.