Speech #970225621

President. the amendment I am offeringcosponsored by Senators TSONGAS. CHAFFEE. BRADLEY. and BRADYis designed to correct some unfortunate limitations contained in this bill on the ability of certain highly trained foreign students to adjust their immigration status without leaving the country for 2 years. The amendment also seeks to restore the language of existing law on the terms governing the admission of professionals. managers and executives. As drafted. this bill would require all future foreign students to leave the United States for 2 years before they can adjust their immigration statusexcept if they marry an American citizen. I believe this is too restrictive. especially in areas such as engineering. computer sciences. and other areas of high technology. where the United States if facing critical shortages in industry and in teaching. It is contrary to our national interests to force students of exceptional merit and abilitywho are participating in essential academic. professional and industrial programsto leave the country. It also ignores the current reality that such qualified students do not return to their homes in the Third World or elsewhere. but simply move to Japan or to Europe and use their skills to help those nations compete against the United States. It makes no sense when our universities and businesses are starved for scientific talent. for the United States to train engineers or computer specialists at M.I.T. for jobs in Germany. My office has been deluged by letters from American universities. research institutions. and companies. documenting in very persuasive terms that this change in student visas would be contrary to our national interests. Mr. President. the numbers of students involved is apparently very smallalthough the Immigration Service does not have precise statistics. But only approximately 5.000 foreign students adjust their immigration status to other than family reunion preferences. That is hardly a "brain drain"-yet it represents an important pool of talent in the hightechnology. teaching. and research fields. I have been willing to reach a compromise on this amendmentto establish a numerical limit of 5.000with a requirement for a study within three years to determine what changes should be made in the future.