1st Session No. 593 MRS. PAMELA GOUGH WALKER JUNE 27, 1961.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. FEIGHAN, from the Committee on the Judiciary submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 2655] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2655) for the relief of Mrs. Pamela Gough Walker, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of this bill is to waive the provision of section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in behalf of Mrs. Pamela Gough Walker. The bill also provides for the posting of a bond if necessary to insure that the beneficiary will not become a public charge, and further provides that the exemption shall apply only to a ground for exclusion known to the Departments of State and Justice prior to the enactment of this act. GENERAL INFORMATION The beneficiary is a 22-year-old native and citizen of England, residing in the country with her parents, and is employed as a secretary. The beneficiary married a U.S. citizen in 1959 while he was stationed in England with the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in November of 1960. The beneficiary is afflicted with epilepsy which is controlled by drugs. The pertinent facts in this case are contained in a letter dated May 10, 1961, from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. That letter and accompanying memorandum read as follows: 71585-61 A-12543491 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, Hon. EMANUEL CELLER, Washington, D.C., May 10, 1961. Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In response to your request for a report relative to the bill (H.R. 2655) for the relief of Mrs. Pamela Gough Walker, there is attached a memorandum of information concerning the beneficiary. This memorandum has been prepared from the Immigration and Naturalization Service files relating to the beneficiary by the Miami, Fla., office of this Service, which has custody of those files. The bill would waive the provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act which excludes from admission into the United States aliens who are afflicted with psychopathic personality, epilepsy, or a mental defect, and would authorize the issuance of a visa to the beneficiary and her admission to the United States for permanent residence, if she is otherwise admissible under that act, under such conditions and controls as the Attorney General, after consultation with the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, may deem necessary to impose. The bill would also require that if the beneficiary is not entitled to medical care under the Dependents' Medical Care Act, a bond be deposited to insure that she shall not become a public charge. The bill also limits the exemptions granted the beneficiary to grounds for exclusion known to the Department of State or the Department of Justice prior to the date of its enactment. As the spouse of a U.S. citizen the beneficiary appears eligible for nonquota status in the issuance of an immigrant visa. Sincerely, J. M. SWING, Commissioner. MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION FROM IMMIGRATION AND Information concerning this case was obtained from Joe The beneficiary, a native and citizen of England, was U.S. Public Health Service at London reported that the beneficiary had epileptic attacks at the rate of two or three a year from 1955 to 1959 which were transitory in nature. According to this report, the beneficiary was examined at the neurological department of the London Hospital in April 1959 and began therapeutic drug treatment. Since then she has had no attacks and is able to work. The report further states, in the absence of other indication, it must be assumed that her condition is hereditary. The prognosis in the case is reported to be excellent since she had had no attacks during the period of treatment. Joe Denny Walker was born on December 4, 1936, in Pahokee, Fla. and is a citizen of the United States. He completed high school in Bradenton, Fla., and served with the U.S. Air Force from November 21, 1956, until November 9, 1960. He received an honorable discharge as an airman, second class. Mr. Walker is employed as an assembler at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corp., West Palm Beach, Fla., at a weekly salary of $75 and resides in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Walker, the parents of Joe Denny Walker, have purchased a seven-unit apartment house in West Palm Beach. They stated that, if the beneficiary is permitted to enter the United States, she and her husband will reside in and manage the apartment building. Additionally, Mr. Philip Walker, who is principal of an elementary school in Bradenton, stated that he is prepared to deposit a suitable bond to insure that the beneficiary shall not become a public charge. The Director of the Visa Office, Department of State, submitted the following report on this legislation: Hon. EMANUEL CELLER, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I refer to your request for a report regarding the case of Mrs. Pamela Gough Walker, beneficiary of H.R. 2655, 87th Congress, introduced by Mr. Haley. The bill provides that notwithstanding the provision of section 212(a) (4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the beneficiary may be issued a visa and admitted to the United States for permanent residence under such conditions and controls as the responsible administrative authorities may deem necessary to impose. According to information received from the American Embassy at London, England, the beneficiary was born on January 6, 1939, at Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She resides et 1st Bungalow, Hollies Road, Bradwell, Essex, England. She is married to A2c. Joe D. Walker, U.S. Air Force, whose home address is given as Post Office Box 366, Palmetto, Fla. They have no children. She is a secretary by occupation and her educational background is adequate for this purpose. On October 26, 1960 the beneficiary was found ineligible to receive a visa under section 212(a) (4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act because of a certification by the U.S. Public Health Service physician that she is afflicted with epilepsy. A copy of the medical certificate is enclosed in duplicate. Sincerely yours, ROBERT F. HALE, Director, Visa Office. |