Speech #1020132033

But. he notes: If these Soviet scientists arent needed in Europe or the U.S.. they must go somewhere to eat. The story makes two points. First. our ability to process visa requests for these scientists is not quick enough. This legislation is designed to speed the process and remove existing obstacles. Second. many of these scientists are having difficulty finding a job in the Commonwealth or in the United States. This bill expresses the sense of Congress that some of the funds set aside for the reduction of the Soviet threat should be used to ensure these scientists are gainfully employed in research projects that benefit American competitiveness. Let me explain the details of the bill Im introducing today. Entitled the Commonwealth Scientists Immigration and Exchange Act of 1992. the bill applies to those Commonwealth scientists and engineers who have expertise in nuclear. chemical. biological. or high technology or other high technology fields or who are working on nuclear. chemical. biological or other hightechnology defense projects. It contains two provisions to facilitate the immigration of Commonwealth scientists to the United States: it automatically waives the job offer requirement for exceptionally qualified immigrants if those immigrants are Commonwealth scientists. The bill also permits the Attorney General to classify these scientists. based on their level of expertise. as eligible for work visas. with appropriate labor certifications. whether or not they possess advanced degrees. This waiver authority for the classification of the exceptionally gifted ends four years after the bill is enacted. Furthermore. the Attorney General is required to prescribe regulations to permit the identification of those scientists who are eligible for the waiver.