From: mitra@oct17.dfe.dec.com (JoyDeep Mitra)
Subject: Status of P2-A category (long waiting periods for spouses)
Followup-To: mitra@dfe.dec.com
Keywords: PSR, long waiting periods for spouses, P2-A
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Santa Clara, CA
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 18:54:36 GMT

			Professionals for Spouse Reunification
			478 W. Hamilton Avenue, Suite 187
			Campbell, CA 95008

		IMMIGRATION ISSUES FOR SPOUSE REUNIFICATION

	Under the current immigration law, when a Permanent Resident of the
United States marries a non-resident, the spouse will wait for two to four
years before he or she can come to the U.S. as an immigrant.  This results in
an extremely long separation of the newly married couple, which inflicts on
them great hardship and mental agony. The situation is exacerbated by the fact
that nonimmigrant visitor visas are routinely denied to these spouses by
consular officers abroad, preventing them from even temporarily being united
with their spouses in the U.S.  Recently published State Department statistics
indicate that this wait could increase to over four years.  This has been
reflected in the sluggish visa cutoff date movement in recent months.

	Professionals for Spouse Reunification (PSR) is a nationwide 
voluntary organization that has been formed solely with the purpose of 
resolving this problem.  PSR was instrumental in getting bills introduced in 
both the House of Representatives and the Senate that would alleviate this 
situation.  Bill H.R. 4275, introduced by Congressman Guy Vander Jagt of 
Michigan, in the U.S. House of Representatives would create a 
nonimmigrant visa called the "S" visa that spouses of Permanent Residents 
can use to visit with their families here.  Bill S. 2385, introduced in the 
Senate by Senator Donald Riegle of Michigan, would enable these spouses to 
obtain visitor or student visas to come to the U.S. Neither of these bills 
accord the beneficiary the permission to work or to avail of government 
benefits.  Furthermore, violations of the nonimmigrant status, such as 
overstay or unauthorized work would result in stiff penalties and 
jeopardize the eventual admission to permanent residence.

	Bill H.R. 4275 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for
review.  The bill has been cosponsored by over 52 House Representatives 
including Congressman Stephen Solarz and four members of the Judiciary 
Committee.  A hearing on the bill was held on May 13 in which members of 
Congress, Administration officials and representatives of PSR testified.  Both
Congressmen Vander Jagt and Solarz expressed their strong support for this
bill and urged Congressman Mazzolli and members of the Immigration
Subcommittee to recommend the bill to the House.  The next step in the process
is the markup - evaluation, modification and recommendation - of the bill by
the Subcommittee.

 	Bill S. 2385 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  It 
currently has ten cosponsors, including Senator Simon, one of the three 
members of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee.  Both Senators Riegle 
and Simon are canvassing support for the bill in the U.S. Senate.

	PSR seeks the active support of members of ethnic communities and
organizations throughout the country to generate support for these bills in
Congress.  PSR urges readers to contact their U.S. Representatives and Senators
and request them to cosponsor H.R. 4275 and S. 2385 respectively and to
facilitate their speedy passage by the end of the year.  If you are interested
in working toward resolving this issue, please subscribe on e-mail to
"p2-talk-request@twerp.ease.arco.com".  Only those who seriously plan on being
active should subscribe since this is not just an information channel.  Further
information can be obtained by writing to PSR or by calling (313)268-0222
(Midwest), (408)285-6039 (West Coast) or (508)842-9428 (East Coast).

				Jacob George
				Spokesman
				Professionals for Spouse Reunification




Newsgroups: alt.visa.us