Speech #990246952

Peter has been prevented from participating this summer in the Goodwill games in Moscow and the World Championships in Spain because he is not a U.S. citizen. Without private relief legislation. Peter would not satisfy the residency and physical presence requirements for naturalization under section 316 of the Immigration and Nationality Act until 1990. This would result in extreme hardship in Peters case. because by 1990 he will be far beyond his prime as a competitive swimmer. Thus. 1988 is probably Peters last chance to compete for the United States in the Olympics. S. 2271 provides that Peter be deemed to have satisfied the residency and physical presence requirements so that he may be naturalized at the earliest possible date. This will permit Peter to represent the United States in upcoming international competition and the 1988 Olympics. The bill also provides that Peter be admitted for permanent residence in the United States. as that is a prerequisite for naturalization. Although he is lawfully present in the United States by reason of his asylum status. he has not yet been granted permanent resident status. Finally. the bill provides that Peter will not be ineligible for U.S. citizenship because of his former life in a Communist country. Peter was raised in a country in which. tragically. Communist repression permeates every segment of public and private life. and in which athletes. in particular. are exploited for the governments purposes. Peter did not choose to be born into such a system. but. when the time came to make a choice. he bravely chose to be free and to be an American. I believe that Peter Berndts situation presents a compelling and appropriate case for private relief legislation to expedite his naturalization as a U.S. citizen. Here is a young man who. at the age of 21. risked everything to defect from Communist East Germany to the United States. It should be noted that if Peters only interest was to compete in international competition and the 1988 Olympics. he could become a West German citizen automatically and swim for West Germany.