Speech #840030434

Are the staffs of all these voluntary agencies extending every effort for constructive assistance to their Government? Or. do some yield to a temptation to criticize. yet avoid a selfanalysis that might reveal their own shortsightedness? Persons and groups who profess a deep concern for the plight of the refugee have a heavy responsibility for public sentiment on this subject. By their own spirit and optimism they can influence the giving of assurances. Or. by giving way to criticism of the program. they can make the way harder for themselves. for their Government. and for the refugee. I am pleased to point out the voluntary agencies optimism with respect to their ability to produce a greater number of assurances. as well as the increasing number of assurances received from individual American sponsors. indicating a tremendous increase in the workload in the 1956 fiscal year. It is interesting. I am sure. to many Members to consider the assurances received by the Administrator of this act up until April 1. 1955. A breakdown by agency of the 16.858 verified assurances is as follows: Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals. Inc ----------------------------- 22 American aid for expellees and immigration -------------------------- 7 The American Branch of the International Social Service. Inc ------ 15 American Committee for Resettlement of Polish DPs -------------- 140 American Federation of International Institutes. Inc -------------------- 435 The American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees. Inc -------------------- 100 American Latvian Association in the United States. Inc ---------------- 2 American National Committee To Aid Homeless Armenians --------------12 Baptist World Alliance Relief Committee. displaced persons resettlement program ------------------- 162 Calvinist Resettlement Service of the Christian Reformed Church ------ 6 Catholic Committee for Refugees_.- 50 ChineseAmerican Civic Council .... 8 Church World Service ------------- . 043 Federation of Russian Charitable Organizations of the United States 1 Greek American Progressive Association --------------------------- 39 International Rescue Committee. Inc ------------------------------ . 229 National Lutheran Council ---------- 2. 496 Order of AHEPA. Refugee Relief Committee -------------------------- 503 Tolstoy Foundation. Inc ------------ 666. United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit ------------------- 16 United Friends of Needy and Displaced People of Yugoslavia. Inc-- 182 United HIAS Service --------------- 756 United Ukrainian American Relief Committee ----------------------- 755 War Relief Services. National Catholic Welfare Conference ------------- 7. 141 Miscellaneous agencies -------------- 72 Total --------------------- 16. 858 President Eisenhower has elicited from a high proportion of the 48 States a firm response to his suggestion for governors advisory committee for the refugee relief program. These committees are kept in close touch with the program and are watchful for ways in which their States can benefit from it. These citizen groups go out and get job assurances. They place potential sponsors in touch with voluntary agencies in position to endorse sponsorships and to attend to details of cases. They are key factors throughout the country in informing the public that sponsors of refugees are the big need to bring this program to full success. They need the cooperation of citizens. if this humanitarian legislation really does mean that the heart of Americain the tradition of oldreaches out to those oppressed in other lands. I bespeak for the refugee relief program around the world the confidence and support of American citizens. whose job. housing. and support assurances must be on record before the refugee program can move a refugee. To those who would know the real nature of Mr. McLeods assignment. I would point out that as administrator of the Refugee Relief Act his job. and the job of his staff. is that of assisting intelligent. hardworking. healthy aliens. who are free of criminal and subversive taint. to migrate to this country. All of us interested in the program. as citizens and taxpayers. have the common duty to make certain that the best interests of the United States are safeguarded. This is particularly the case with the Refugee Relief Act. since it contains basic provisions not subject to broad interpretation. There are areas of discretion. however. in both the law and the regulations. when application of good judgment is not only possible but essential if the program is to succeed. This is the spirit of the program and of its administrator and his staff. But the final accomplishment of the refugee program lies not with an administrator. it lies with American citizens themselves. Their individual sponsorships of applicants are the key to success. Refugee relief programStatus of visa applications Apr. 8. 1955 Italy Greece Nether- Germany Austria Far Others Total lands Ea thr Toa 1. Applicants notified of documents required ----------------------------- 58.785 16.658 1.061 16.820 8.701 2.115 3.383 107.523 2. Visas issued -------------------------1. 398 4.130 468 1.138 1.911 497 268 24. 810 3. Visas refused ------------------------- 1.340 639 22 1.580 804 637 197 5.128 4. Canceled action ...... 536 66 86 697 373 51 189 1.098 5. Applications still in process ---------- 40. 502 11.823 485 13.405 5.613 1.030 2.729 75. 587 6. Assurances received by Administrator 5. 076 8. 224 244 10. 465 3. 08 2. 440 3.191 33. 608 7. Assurances verified and sent to field_ __ 4.169 7.182 124 9.147 3.655 1.989 2.428 28.694 "Pipeline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 107. 523 Visas processed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -31.030 Applications in process --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75. 537 NOTE.-All figures cumulative. Items 6 and 7 reflect principal aliens only.