Although the amendment was not enacted. It sent a strong message of our concern and commitment to keeping families together. Commissioner McNarys new guidelines. which take effect February 14. 1990. provide coherence and sensibility for our immigration policyprimary objectives of my efforts. The Commissioners plan consists of five provisions: First. the spouse and minor children of the legalized alien will be granted voluntary departure status. as long as they were in this country before November 6. 1986. Second. voluntary departure status will be granted for a 1year period. and cases will be reviewed on an annual basis in case an extension Is needed. Third. the spouse and children must submit documentary evidence to establish the family relationship and residence with the legal alien. Fourth. work authorization will be granted to those who qualify under these guidelines. and Fifth. in case of a child born after November 6. 1986. no deportation proceedings shall be instituted as long as a parent maintains his or her legal status. Item two of this program. however. only grants a 1year period of voluntary departure. whereas my amendment would have extended this period indefinitely until such a time as ineligible spouses and children obtained peimanent residence. Nevertheless. this new policy is certainly a step in the right direction. and I hope that extensions will be granted with understanding and compassion. Finally. we will have a clear and uniform policy for granting voluntary departure status to those spouses and children of qualified aliens under the 1986 amnesty program. This new approach by the Immigration and Naturalization Service is a strong indication of both Commissioner McNarys and President Bushs commitment to keeping families together. Mr. President.
Keywords matched
Naturalization Immigration immigration deportation