Speech #960127572

The change in preference classification. the paternal substantiation board and sponsor support are the three main provisions of H.R. 3439. The Departments of Justice and State have addressed these sections in a typical bureaucratic manner without taking proper humanitarian and compassionate views into account. The Department of Justice states that the bill "is somewhat inconsistent with the concept of family unification" and is therefore. "a departure from the normal scheme for granting preferenced classification under the Immigration and Naturalization Act." We feel this is a very limited interpretation of the immigration preference classifications. Throughout its history. the United States has maintained a significant concern for the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. Our shores have remained open to immigrants who are homeless. to refugees who are tempesttossed. to those who seek educational opportunities and primarily to those who desire a better standard of living. and greater civil liberties. While the plight of the less fortunate has not always been caused by the United States. the situation of the Amerasian is in large part a problem caused by citizens of our Nation. Both the Department of Justice and the Department of State suggest that the bill require -a petition by the United States citizen father.