Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5559 providing a special immigrant category on behalf of religious functionaries and a statute of limitations on grounds of exclusion. The special needs of the religious community were brought to my attention recently by Rev. Msgr. Nicholas DiMarzio. U.S. Catholic Conference. in connection with visa petition processing with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Because of the narrow interpretations by the Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS] and the lack of responsiveness to the everchanging needs of the religious community. many religious leaders and their organizations experience great difficulties in meeting their congregational needs. As noted by Monsignor DiMarzio. the INS "odious comparison" of religion to business has resulted in extreme hardship. This provision addresses one of the principle problems of the religious community. that it. the need for greater flexibility in the transfer and movement of religious functionaries.
Keywords matched
immigrant Immigration visa Naturalization