Mr. President. in further explanation. I should like to say that the persons concerned come under the Refugee and Escapee Act. They came to the United States not on immigrant visas. because they were not available. but when they came here they could not return to their native countries. They were merely given permission to stay in the United States because if they could have returned to their native countries they would have been granted the right to return. For some reason. it is unsafe for them to return to their own countries. The immigration authorities. the Department of Justice. and the intelligence agencies recommend approval of the concurrent resolution. which would simply give the persons concerned permission to do what under other circumstances they would be able to do. and would allow the refugees to have permanent residence under the Refugee Act. because they are refugees. The only difference is that. because of circumstances. they have come to this country and cannot return to their own countries. They were legal entries when they came into this country. but not for immigration purposes. That is the purpose of the concurrent resolution. I may say to the distinguished minority leader that it is the same type of measure which frequently comes before the Senate. The Attorney General. acting through the immigration authorities. makes up a list of names of persons who he believes should have permanent residence status. but such status cannot be granted without authority and approval of Congress.
Keywords matched
immigrant Refugee immigration visas refugees