Physical damage estimates exceed $100 million. I rise today to introduce legislation to aid the victims of this natural disasterpeople who have lost their homes and their belongings. Briefly. this bill would provide for the issuance of 2.000 special nonquota immigrant visas to nationals or citizens of Portugal who are unable to return to their place of abode. Under this legislation. the visa holder could also bring in a spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. The legislation further provides that these visas shall be issued by consular officers. as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The individuals who choose to immigrate under this measure. will not be required to demonstrate that they posess a "skill in short supply" or that they have an "immediate family relative" residing in this country. Such restrictions. in this time of tragedy. would be cumbersome and inappropriate. Mr. President. I want to emphasize to my colleagues that this extension of special visas is a limited action. It should not and will not provide an opportunity for the more than 20.000 homeless to enter the United States. If. in the coming weeks. it becomes apparent to this body that the issuance of 2000 visas is neither necessary nor helpful to the Azores. I would certainly consider a reduction of that number. I seek to offer immigration as an option to those most destitute individuals. I am speaking of the elderly. who have no means of support following the death of their relatives. of the children orphaned in the disaster. and of those Azoreans who have no foreseeable opportunity to resume their previous livelihood. I am aware of the Portuguese Governments desire to maintain the population of the Azores at existing levels.
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