Proposed Revisions of U.S. Western Hemisphere Immigration Policies

Abstract

The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and International Law on March 28, 1973, opened hearings on revision of the Western Hemisphere immigration system. The emphasis was to create a preference system to regulate the flow of the 120,000 ceiling immigrants who are admitted from this hemisphere each year. It became clearly evident early in the course of the hearings that the subcom? mittee members were to take an extremely conservative approach to any revi? sions. Upon the conclusion of the hearings the subcommittee completely rewrote H. R. 981 as originally introduced by Representative Peter W. Rodino Jr, an analysis of which was published in the Fall issue. Although the new bill still retains the H. R. 981 designation, the substance and language is entirely dif? ferent from the original bill. A preference system identical with one exception to that of the Eastern Hemisphere is proposed. Section 203 (a) (7) which grants a preference to refugees is amended by broadening the definition of refugee along the lines of that used by the U. N. High Commissioner for Refugees so that refugees from any part of the world can qualify. Secondly, provision is made by statute autho? rizing the Attorney General to parole additional refugees should seventh preference numbers not be available but only after consultation with the appro? priate congressional committees. Adjustment of status after two years is provided notwithstanding the numerical limitations specified in this Act. The maximum per country limitation is retained at 20,000 annually. No special treatment is accorded Canada and Mexico as recommended by the De? partment of State, a provision which was contained in Mr. Rodino's original version of H.R. 981. This subject received the greatest attention of the subcom? mittee and created the most controversy. An amendment sponsored by Representative Rodino to create special status for these contiguous nations failed in the full committee and later on the floor of the House (174?203). The bill was passed on September 26, 1973 by a vote of 336 to 30 and was referred to the Senate for consideration.