Amendment aims to help Filipinos immigrate
Associated Press
The U.S. Senate approved a proposal yesterday that would help children of Filipino World War II veterans immigrate to the United States.
The proposal, which was introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka as an amendment to the Senate's immigration reform bill, was approved unanimously.
The amendment would reunify families that are separated because of a backlog in visa applications, Akaka said, noting that the average wait for Filipinos to receive a visa is 20 years.
About 200,000 Filipinos served in World War II, and about 49,000 of them are still living. That number is expected to shrink to 20,000 by 2010.
The amendment will be part of an immigration reform package that is expected to come to a vote next week.
