And we have the opportunity again today to stand with those who carry on the dream of liberty for the Chinese people. The conference report before us addresses some of the immediate obstacles which the students face. The administration has acted to assure that no deportations will occur before June of next year. But many students would be eligible not to adjust to other more permanent immigration statuses. except for the requirement in our law that they first return home for 2 years. The prospect of return in June not only causes great anxiety among the students. but also inhibits their efforts on behalf of democracy. Fear of return to China has inhibited many in speaking out against the actions of their government. For those students for whom the 2year home residency requirement appliesnamely those on the socalled Exchange Visitor Programthe bill waives the requirement for the next 4 years. During this 4year window. they are permitted to apply for other immigration statuses for which they are otherwise eligible. including permanent residence. Those students not here on the Exchange Visitor Program face other challenges. The visas of many of these students have expired in the more than 5 months since Tiananmen. and many more will expire over the 6 remaining months that the administration has stayed departures. Current law prohibits many of those without valid visasand therefore technically subject to deportationfrom adjusting to another immigration status for which they might be eligible. The bill before us remedies this by permitting such changes of status for as long as the Attorney General continues to suspend departures to China. Finally. the bill provides work authorization to all the students.
Keywords matched
deportations visas immigration deportationfrom