Speech #1020078542

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of S. 296. the Armed Forces Immigration AdJustment Act of 1991. This bill is substantially the same as H.R. 639. which this House passed by voice vote in the last Congress. Regrettably. H.R. 639 was caught in the endofCongress scramble last year. and the other body failed to take action on this noncontroversial bill prior to adjournment. S. 296 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide special immigrant status to an immigrantWho enlisted outside the United States in the U.S. Armed Forces under a treaty or agreement. Who has served honorably on active duty for 12 years. or who has served for 6 years and has reenlisted for another 6. and For whom the Executive department. under which the immigrant serves or served. has recommended the granting of special immigrant status. The spouses and minor children of these immigrants also would be granted special immigrant status. This legislation would benefit individuals who meet the requirements. whether or not they currently are on active duty. While the number of people who may benefit under this act is limited to 2.300 per fiscal year. the actual numbers are expected to be much lower. Immigrants who are eligible under the bill at the time of enactment. about 5.000 total. will be grandfathered in. As a practical matter. the majority of the people affected by this bill are the 400 Filipinos who enlist or enlisted each year in the United States Navy in the Philippines under the military bases agreement of 1947. Each of them has at least a high school education. many have college degrees.