RESTRICTED
73
153555
MDHIAN 7213
RESTRICTED
FM WASHINGTON
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 782
OF 032325Z APRIL 90
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
138
i Hico 34001
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
02 MAY 1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
OUR TELNO 693: HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPOR SUMMARY
-
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
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 MIGHT 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
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