Speech #1020121574

President. I rise to join my colleague. Senator KENNEDYthe chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee--to urge the adoption of H.R. 3049. the judicial naturalization bill. This bill is the result of a compromise between those Members of Congress who wish to place the fewest impediments possible before aliens wishing to become citizens and the judges who work in our Federal and State courts. Before 1990. all immigrants were naturalized by Federal district or State courts. The Immigration Act of 1990 made that process swifter by allowing the Attorney General to naturalize aliens. Some judges expressed disappointment that they no longer were able to preside at the happy occasion of administration of the oath of citizenship. In addition. many Members of Congress agreed that the courts added a necessary ceremonial aspect to this important step in an immigrants life. Therefore. this bill strikes an intelligent compromise: It gives authority to administer the oath of citizenship back to the courts for 45 days after the alien becomes eligible. If the court fails to act within 45 days. then the Immigration Service may administer the oath of citizenship. I salute my good friend from Kentucky. Congressman RON MAZZOLI. for this fair and responsible compromise bill. and I encourage my colleagues to support it. Mr. President. Senator KENNEDY and I intend to offer two immigration bills to H.R. 3049. as amendments. In amendment No. 1. we are attaching language which reflects the compromise agreement between organized labor and artist groups reflected in S. 1776 and H.R. 3048. regarding the admission of foreign artists. entertainers. and other similar specialty immigrants. This is essential legislation which will ensure that we will have a continued flow of international artists and cultural exchange into the United States. and from the United States to foreign countries. I would like to make a few specific remarks to some portions of this amendment. which is title II in the amendment offered by Senator KENNEDY and myself: Proposed section 214(c)(4)(B)(ii) enables the Attorney General. in consideration of special circumstances. to waive the international recognition requirement for Pi groups and to rely instead on national recognition.