Mr. Speaker. the recent upheaval in Hungary and the resulting outpouring of thousands of refugees and escapees from that Communistoppressed country has underscored with dramatic clarity weaknesses in our immigration laws and policy. Of the 170.000 Hungarians who have fled into Austria or from there into other Western countries. 24.000 have now been admitted into the United States. This skillfully handled emergency operation reflects great credit upon those American officials and private relief agencies which have played a role in managing this human exodus. But creditable though our achievement has been in this emergency. it has brought grave problems in its wake and raised serious questions as to what we should do when the immediate task of aiding these victims of tyranny is completed. For the events of the past few months have demonstrated that the problem of affording a haven to the Hungarian refugees is only part of two much larger problemswhat our long range policy should be toward those who want to break away from Communist rule and flee to freedom. and what basic policy should be adopted toward those everywhere in the world who desire to migrate to the United States. The first question we must face up to is whether. as a matter of policy. we want people in Eastern Europe to attempt to escape. If we do. then logically we have to share our immigration policy to accept the consequences of this decision. If we do not. then that decision too should be reflected in our immigration laws. I have not the slightest doubt which alternative we should choose. for the overwhelming mass of the American people want the people of Eastern Europe to rewin their freedom and regain that independence that is rightfully theirs. They want that not only because of the tremendous sympathy they have for those people. but also for sound reasons of security and national interest.
Keywords matched
immigration refugees