Speech #1030071130

Speaker. yesterday I Introduced the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1993. legislation that will help remedy a half century of Injustice to Filipino veterans of World War II. tens of thousands of whom fought and died for America. Members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army served side by side with members of the United States Armed Forces In World War II. Section 405 of the Immigration Reform Act of 1990. which enables Filipino veterans to apply for naturalization as American citizens. Is scheduled to expire on November 29. 1995. Out of approximately 60.000 veterans expected to file for naturalization. less than half have applied. The main reasons for this small number include long delays in the certification of military service records and the lack of dissemination of Information about the application process. The Filipino Veterans Equity Act would extend this deadline for 3 years. There are reports of problems with the United States Governments recording of the names of many Filipino veterans who were our allies during the Second World War. Some names were not submitted during the demobilization and processing period and others were destroyed In a fire at the processing center. Many veterans are therefore currently Ineligible to apply for naturalization. This bill would allow Filipinos to use military service records authenticated by the Government of the PhilIppines to certify military service In the PhilIppines during World War II and enable the veterans to qualify for naturalization. This bill would also provide for a special Immigrant status for the Immediate relatives of Filipino veterans. If the Filipino veterans had not been deprived of the naturalization process In 1945. their children would already be United States citizens today. Currently. the veterans must petition to bring their children here. which takes between 10 and 15 years. The Filipino veterans and their families deserve a meaningful opportunity to apply for naturalization and be together in the United States. The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1993 would give them such an opportunity. I urge my colleagues to support the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1993.