Speech #1010110954

I share the American publics continued outrage. frustration. and bitter sorrow over the Chinese Governments reaction to the peaceful student demonstrations which took place in Tiananmen Square in the weeks and months before June 3. Sadly. our daily newspaper accounts since June 3 do not indicate that the Chinese leadership has heard the International communitys pleas for moderation and an end to violence and suppression. According to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. our country Is currently hosting 73.000 Chinese students as well as 309.000 other Chinese nationals who are in the United States on nonimmigrant visas. The current climate In China makes it inconceivable that any Chinese national should be forced to return to China under the present circumstances. On June 6 the U.S. Attorney General authorized an Extended Deferred Departure Program [EDD] which allows Chinese nationals to stay in the United States until at least June 5. 1990. Unfortunately. acceptance of EDD status makes individuals ineligible for visa adjustment or application for permanent resident status. Many Chinese have been reluctant to take advantage of the EDD Program for that reason. Because of that situation. I have been a strong supporter of Congresswoman PELOsis legislation. H.R. 2712. which clarifies the scope and application of the automatic 1 year extension authorized by the Attorney General. The Emergency Chinese Immigration Relief Act of 1989 we are voting on today provides that the EDD status would be modified to allow Chinese nationals. if otherwise eligible. to change status within nonimmigrant categories and to apply for permanent resident status if they qualify. Most Importantly. the legislation provides for a blanket waiver of the J1 exchange visitors visas 2year return resident requirement for Chinese nationals. Nearly 70 percent of Chinese students in the United States hold Jtype visas. which require that the holder return to his/her home country for at least 2 years before they would be eligible for any other type of American visa. We can not further compound the tragedies recently suffered by the Chinese people by requiring those students who are currently in this country to return to China and face what many fear will be certain harassment and threat. The PRC nationals who have come to study and work In our country should not live in fear that we will one day turn them over to a government that seems to know little mercy and to leaders who perceive democracy to be a threat rather than a promise.