Senators MITCHELL and DOLE. are promoting to grant relief to Chinese students before the Congress goes into recess for the month of August. This legislation would provide temporary relief for those Chinese students who now enjoy the generous grant of deferred departure given to them by President Bush and Attorney General Thornburgh. It would waive the 2year return requirement for those students holding "J" visas. if an immigrant visa would otherwise be available to a student but for that return requirement. It would consider all Chinese nonimmigrants to be in a legal immigration status while the grant of deferred departure is pending. so that if a route to adjustment is available to them. they will not be prevented from adjusting simply because their nonimmigrant visa has expired. It would clarify that employment authorization is available to these students. even though such authorization can already be granted under current law. Finally. it would require the Attorney General to send "notices of visa expiration" to persons entering the deferred departure program. instead of actual deportation notices. while the Attorney General continues to withhold the deportation of Chinese nationals. I believe that this legislation provides appropriate temporary relief for Chinese students and other Chineoe nonimmigrants. Congress will return in September. and there will be plenty of time then to address any proposals for more longterm relief.
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