Speech #840012267

Mr. Speaker. there is unquestionably widespread dissatisfaction and no small degree of disappointment concerning the operation of the refugee relief program. Enacted just about 18 months agoAugust 7. 1953. to be exactthis law authorized the admission of 214.000 aliens to become permanent residents of the United States by the end of 1956. with preference being given to refugees. expellees. escapees from Iron Curtain countries. and certain close relatives of American citizens. After 18 months. what are the results? Mr. Speaker. I regret to say that the results to date of this refugee relief program are very meager. indeed. Here are the latest available official figures: Number of visas issued. 18.936as of Number of refugees admitted. 15.034as of January 28. 1955. Such is the dismal result of this program after about half of its effective period has elapsed. It is clear by now that the goal of 214.000 refugees to be admitted will never be reached in the time specified. While I dislike to speculate on the number finally to gain entry under this program. it does not seem to me that we will even fulfill half the program by the time it expires. Such was not the intention of Congress when it enacted the refugee relief program in 1953. When Congress set a figure of 214.000 to be admitted over a 3year period. it was done so in the belief that this goal could be reached. Unfortunately. certain sections of the act and administrative interpretations have made te law unworkable and the whole progiath has become a travesty. Mr. Speaker. I do not see eye to eye with Judge Francis Walter. the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania. .on matters of immigration. Yet even Judge Walter. who is opposed to liberalized immigration. recently stated in a public address: I consider the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 a fraud and a phony. He also referred to it as an example of sloppy legislation. an illconceived and halfbaked proposal. and an unworkable law. And he is so right about it.