PILGRIM: Tonight, another side to this slick David Beckham frenzy consuming Los Angeles. Now, lost amid the hoopla of Beckham's arrival was the fact how easy it was for him and his wife to obtain visas to move to the United States.

Unlike regular immigrants, the world's highest paid soccer star is eligible for a special class of visa that's reserved for elite people.

Casey Wian joins us from Carson, California, where Beckham was officially presented to soccer fans today -- Casey.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kitty, it was a warm welcome today for soccer star David Beckham here at the home of his new team, the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is my distinct pleasure and honor to introduce to Los Angeles and the world the newest members of the L.A. Galaxy, Mr. David Beckham.

WIAN (voice-over): Unlike millions of fans worldwide, there was no waiting in line for soccer star David Beckham to receive a visa to work in the United States. He and Spice Girl wife Victoria both hold O-1 visas, which are reserved for persons who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television field.

DAVID BECKHAM, PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER: My family have now moved to Los Angeles, something we were looking forward to, something we're very proud of.

WIAN: The attorney who arranged for their legal immigration to the United States says Beckham did not bend any rules.

STEPHEN HADER, ATTORNEY: Congress established this visa category for individuals who have reached a certain level within their profession, and obviously David and Victoria have done that. They have qualified for the O-1 visa. And it allows them to come here to the U.S. for the next several years to engage in their activities.

WIAN: The United States granted about 12,600 O-visas last year, more than double the number issued a decade ago -- one reason, the United States limits the number of H-1 guest worker visa it issues. There are no caps on O-visas.

HADER: It's not just in entertainment and sports. Many, many individuals get O-1 visas. I get O-1 visas for researchers who have Ph.D.s, for example, who are trying to cure cancer.

WIAN: It's unlikely the Beckhams will accomplish that. Still, they were welcomed here, especially by a fawning Los Angeles mayor, who put on Beckham's new jersey even before the real player could, and clearly had no question about Beckham's immigration status.

WIAN: While the Beckhams' visas were expedited, the couple was still required to submit to an interview with U.S. consular officials. Now it will be up to Beckham to prove the special treatment was warranted by performing on the field and filling these seats -- Kitty.

PILGRIM: Casey, any indication how long he will stay on this visa?

WIAN: He says he will stay for several years, but he fully plans to return home to England after his soccer career is through -- Kitty.

PILGRIM: All right, thanks very much, Casey Wian.

Well, that brings us to tonight's poll question: Do you believe athletes such as David Beckham should be granted special expedited visas to enter the United States, yes or no? Cast your vote at LouDobbs.com. We will bring you the results a little bit later in the broadcast.