HC Deb 07 May 1956 vol 552 cc831-2
42. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that, under certain circumstances, British subjects born in India of white. British parents are classified as Indian subjects by the United States Immigration Office; that this classification adds considerably to the difficulty of obtaining a visa to enter the United States of America to stay for a period of longer than three months; and if he will make representations to the United States Government to remove this disability

Mr. Dodds-Parker

The United States Immigration and Nationality Act lays down that an applicant for an immigrant visa may be assigned only to the annual immigrant quota for the country of his birth, regardless of his nationality, unless neither of his parents was born in that country. Thus, a British subject born in India would be assigned to the immigrant quota for India if either of his parents had also been born in India

The grant of visas to enter the United States is entirely a matter for the United States authorities who are bound by the detailed provisions of their immigration laws. My right hon. and learned Friend does not, therefore, feel justified in making representations to the United States Government in this matter

Mr. Hall

Is my hon. Friend aware that anyone on the Indian imigrant quota will have to wait probably for five years or more before getting a visa to the United States? Is it too much to ask the United States to treat all British subjects upon terms of equality?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I know that there is a delay in this matter, because the immigrant quota for India is very small. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in view and will bring my attention to it, I will do my best to help.