Speech #1000032478

Mr. Speaker. today. I am very pleased to be introducing the Amerasian Amendments of 1987. a bill which makes important technical changes to the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982. This humanitarian bill retines the previous legislation in accordance with the recommendations of the service agencies working to assist the Amerasian children. The Ameraslan Immigration Act of 1982 required that the United States acknowledge its responsibility to the children of American servIcemen who were abandoned in Korea. Vietnam. Thailand. and Laos. Many of these chil. dren. because of their mixed parentage. have been treated as outcasts In their respective countries. where they face a life full of hatred and bitter discrimination. The Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982 provided a means for these unfortunate children to escape to the land of their fathers by allowing them to apply for permanent resident visas as sons and daughters of American citizens. Prior to the enactment of the Amerasian bill of 1982. these children were given no preferential treatment and. therefore. were only eligible to apply for visas under the sixth preference category of the immigration and Nationality Act. which generally is backlogged approximately 5 to 10 years. The Amerasian bill of 1982 allows these children to apply for visas under the first preference category (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) or fourth preference category (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) In an attempt to eliminate the waiting period. The bill also directs the Department of State to work closely with the field service agencies to assist the Amerasian children in documenting their parentage. In confirming U.S. parentage. Federal officials have been instructed to use every form of documentation available. including photographs. letters. proof of past financial support from the U.S. father. village records. or any other pertinent evidence which could prove paternity "beyond a reasonable doubt." Unfortunately. while the Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982 has helped hundreds of Amerasians to come to this country. it is overly restrictive and is much less effective than originally intended. The Amerasian Amendments of 1987 would make the sponsorship requirements less burdensome in several respects. It would permit church groups and civic organizations to sponsor Amerasians. and it would reduce the sponsorship requirement from 5 to 2 years.