BRITISH EMBASSY
HKD 340/1
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, 20008 (FNISTRY
Telex Domestic USA 89-2370/89-2384
19 APR 1991
Telex International 64224(WUI)/440015(ITT)
Telephone (202) 462-1340
Mrs A H Jones
North America Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office London
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Talen
Your reference
Our reference
CON/341/2
Date
14 January 1991
25
United States Immigration Act of 1990
1.
I attended a meeting of the European Community Consuls on 11 January, during which we heard a very interesting explanation of the provisions of the most recent immigration legislation by a State Department lawyer who has been seconded to the Senate Sub-Committee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs. Copies of the new Act are very difficult to obtain, but if I am successful in my search I will forward a copy to you. Among the more interesting provisions, some countries which were previously adversely affected by the nationality quota system will benefit from a higher allocation of immigrant and non-immigrant visas. These countries include Britain but I understand the chief beneficiary will be Ireland. In the meantime I enclose a summary of the main provisions of the new Act. Hong Kong Department will be interested to see the provisions relating to Hong Kong citizens on page 3. Consular Department may wish to have advance information that the British Community in the United States is likely to increase.
2. We were reminded that the State Department has its staffing problems like the rest of us. This was mentioned in connection with the future annual quotas of visas, our speaker telling us that the lack of resources might not allow all the allocated visas to be issued during a stipulated year. Visas would be issued, both in the United States and at Embassies overseas, strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. Any applications which could not be processed during the year in which they were allocated would be carried forward. Another practical point will be that those aliens who are at present working in the United States illegally will be allowed to make an application without any penalty or a requirement to return to their own country. Their applications would have to be supported by an employment offer.
F J FRASER (Miss) HM Consul
Copies: With enclosures, Hong Kong Department, Consular Department
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