TNAG-2180-FCO40-3117-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 130

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Mr Morris Jude

RESTRICTED

FM WASHINGTON

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 782

OF 032325Z APRIL 90

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INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

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STATEMENT

138

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MDHIAN 7213

Mr Paul HD

OUR TELNO 693: HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

SUMMARY

1.

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HOUSE IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE ADOPTS AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE AWARDED US VISAS TO DEFER SETTLEMENT IN THE US UNTIL 2002. AN IMPORTANT SIGNAL OF CONGRESSIONAL CONCERN. BUT A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THE AMENDMENT

BECOMES LAW.

DETAIL

2.

THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE BEGAN ITS MARK UP SESSION ON

MORRISON'S IMMIGRATION BILL ON 3 APRIL. AS FORESHADOWED IN TUR FRANK (D-MASSACHUSETTS) SUCCESSFULLY PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO ENABLE HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE AWARDED US VISAS TO DEFER SETTLEMENT IN THE US UNTIL 2002. IN INTRODUCING THE AMENDMENT HE EMPHASISED THAT WHENEVER VISA HOLDERS CHOSE TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES THEY WOULD HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY STILL MET THE

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

3.

DURING DISCUSSION OF THE AMENDMENT BERMAN (D-CALIFORNIA) AND FISH (R-NEW YORK) RAISED THE POSSIBILITY OF BROADENING

THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR HONG KONG TO PROVIDE MORE VISAS

FOR NEW CATEGORIES OF APPLICANT, (EG EMPLOYEES OF US COMPANIES)

IN ADDITION TO SUPPORT FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION CASES AS AT PRESENT. THE COMMITTEE DECIDED THAT THIS WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE WHICH GHT BE ADDRESSED IN DUE COURSE.

COMMENT

•

THE ADOPTION OF FRANK'S AMENDMENT WAS AN IMPORTANT SIGNAL OF CONGRESSIONAL CONCERN, PARTICULARLY WHEN COUPLED WITH THE PROVISION IN THE MORRISON BILL TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL QUOTA OF VISAS FOR HONG KONG TO 20,000. BUT MORRISON'S BILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE IT BECOMES LAW, AND FEW ON THE HILL ARE CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL SURVIVE INTACT. NEVERTHELESS THE SUCCESS OF THE FRANK AMENDMENT SHOULD HELP GENERATE MORE INTEREST IN THE ADMINISTRATION IN MAKING SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG.

ACLAND

Flico 36011

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

02 MAY 1990

PAGE RESTRICTED

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aken