Speech #970105484

Although they were admitted as temporary workers. their work has been of a permanent nature and over the years they have made valuable contributions to the economy of the Virgin Islands. Moreover. having lived in the United States for long periods. they have raised families there and those of their children who were born on United States soil are American citizens. The bill would permit the adjustment of the status of those H2 workers who have resided continuously in the Virgin Islands for the past six years and of their spouses and foreign born children to that of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. It is estimated that the enactment of the bill would result in the adjustment of the status of less than 5600 persons who have resided in the Virgin Islands for considerable periods of time. Hence. the change of their status from nonimmigrant to lawfully admitted for permanent residence. as such. is not likely to create any appreciable ethnic or social dislocation. even in a small island community such as the Virgin Islands. which has slightly less than 100.000 inhabitants.