“While failing to enact legislation liberalizing the basic immigration laws of the United States, the last session of Congress passed a law increasing family reunion possibilities and other measures of positive value to prospective immigrants,” James P. Rice, executive director of United Hias Service, reported today.
“With World Refugee Year under way, it was hoped that the United States would take the lead in behalf of the uprooted by adopting special measures for the admission of refugees or by revising our basic immigration laws along the lines of recent bi-parts proposals,” Mr. Rice said. “When Congress reconvenes in January, efforts must be made to remedy the situation,” he added.
Pointing out the constructive features in the new legislation that did come through, Mr. Rice said that under the new family reunion law certain family separations which, in the case of Eastern European Jews have often run into the unforeseeable future, are eliminated. Preferences granted for the admission to the U.S. of brothers and sisters of citizens and the married sons and daughters of citizens are extended to the spouses and minor children of such persons, who may now accompany them. Under the prior law, if a brother of a U.S. citizen or the married child of a citizen wished to immigrate under the benefits of a preference; he had to leave his wife and minor child behind and apply for their admission following his arrival here.
The new law, Mr. Rice stressed, makes it possible for thousands of people to enter the country on a non-quota basis, so that many of those far down on quota lists may be moved ahead to a more favorable position. Some of the differences in rights between naturalized and native-born citizens are eliminated. A naturalized citizen who has had 15 years of residence in the U.S. subsequent to his naturalization may now reside abroad for any length of time in a country other than his former place of residence or birth. The same permission is granted to a naturalized citizen who prior to attaining the of 21 had legal residence in the U.S. of not less than 15 years.
Provisions extending the right of certain persons with TB to join relatives in the U.S. are liberalized by the new law. United Hias Service estimates that 50 additional Jewish families will gain admission to the U.S. under this law. It expires on June 30, 1961, but it may be made permanent.
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