Mr. Speaker. recently I introduced legislation to provide relief to lawful permanent residents of the United States employed by the American University of Beirut. Under current law. lawful permanent residents of the United States risk losing their immigration status by engaging in an activity which is very much in the interests of the United Statesteaching at the American University of Beirut. This university. an American institution chartered in the State of New York. performs a vital educational role in a troubled area of the world. The threat of possible loss of lawful permanent resident status in the United States is a strong disincentive to teaching at the American University of Beirutparticularly in view of current conditions in Lebanon. Dr. Malcom Kerr. the universitys late president. discussed this immigration matter with me last year. The tragic events since that time have included the murder of Dr. Kerr. My bill provides that lawful permanent residents of the United States will be considered to be visiting abroad temporarily during periods of employment by the American University of Beirut. The legislation will provide protection. when they return to the United States. to the approximately 12 percent of the faculty with U.S. lawful permanent resident status. Immigration officers no longer will be able to challenge this small group of returning U.S. residents on the ground that they allegedly have given up their immigration status in our country. The interest of Members of Congress in finding a solution to this problem has encouraged faculty members to remain at the university for the time being. Legislative action. however. is urgently needed to remove a serious impediment to the future of a critically important educational institution in the Middle East.
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Immigration immigration