Speech #1010042232

It represents a reaffirmation of the basic policy position he has taken. and which is supported by the vast majority of the American people: that we should not arbitrarily send home to a very uncertain fate the thousands of Chinese students now studying in the United States. The amendment does take one additional small step. in response to the legitimate concern expressed by many of the Chinese studentsthat we should not put them in greater jeopardy than they already are. by forcing them into a public expression of their dissent over the actions of their Government. through application for some kind of deferred departure. In effect. it grants them the right to stay in this country for at least 1 more year. even If their visas expire In the Interimwithout making specific application to do so. But this legislation also responds to this real need in a responsible way. that will not do violence to very important principles and policies of our immigration law. It does not open the gates to automatic citizenship for anyone. The amendment will open up no new channels to conversion to permanent resident alien status. that is. to U.S. citizenship. The Chinese students who came here did so as nonimmigrants. they were admitted on the basis of the criteria that apply to nonimmigrants. and to me it makes no real sense to respond to their plight simply by converting them to immigrant status. assuming there is an effective alternative available. This amendment waives only a single eligibility requirement for applying for immigrant status--the requirement that someone here on a nonimmigrant visa return to their homeland for 2 years. before seeking to change to a PRA status. Clearly. imposing that requirement on Chinese students now would be to put in their path a nearinsurmountable obstacle. In sum. this is a wellcrafted amendment. It reflects the best in Americas tradition of providing safehaven for those truly in danger. But it does so in a way consistent with our very real foreign policy and immigration policy interests. I hope all Senators will join in passing this amendment overwhelmingly. Mr.