Speech #850139014

There is nothing bad in. it. It cannot harm our country. it can only bring benefit. and it will very greatly help many people and many families who sorely need that help. I want to make a statement for the record to guide those who will administer the bills provisions with respect to certain groups that ought to be given special preference in allotting the 14.000 visas provided for refugeeescapees. The first is a small group of aliens who were employed by the United States Government in the refugee relief program at the time that program expired and whose applications have been completely processed. In the last minute rush there were not enough visas to take care of all of them and their families. They had helped others get visas and did not take care of themselves in time. This group involves 2 who were employees in Athens and 4 in Hong Kong. and their wives and childrena total of about 20 persons. The American consuls and other officials under whom these aliens worked are familiar with these cases. in fact. it is our own officials that are urging their admission at the earliest possible date. They should be first in line for the 14.000 visas that are made available in section 15 for refugeeescapees. None are finer or more deserving. A second group in Hong Kong consists of 42 Chinese of unusually high caliber and outstanding attainments. They are engineers. doctors. scholars. accountants. and other professional people. They and their familiesa total of about 100 personshad been processed and approved but failed to receive visas before expiration of the Refugee Relief Act. They are the sort of highly trained persons who have greatest difficulty in adjusting to refugee conditions but refuse to return to Communist enslavement. They also can contribute most to our country. I discussed this group with Chairman WALTER. whose misfortune and unavoidable absence today we all so deeply regret. and he agreed they are exactly the kind of immigrant we want most. Mr. Speaker. it is sometimes said that these refugee visas should be granted strictly on a basis of first come first served. It ought to be made clear that such is not the intent of the Congress. It is a privilege to be admitted to the United States as an immigrant and the privilege should go first to those who are most needy and will bring most to our country. We have seen in the past certain pressure groups or economic groups that were interested in bringing in refugees to work in their own businesses. They were organized. They provided sponsors and got their applications in first--and they got the visas. They wanted laborers to work in their kitchens. laundries. or other establishments. Such immigrants are naturally most valuable to those businesses. and I have nothing against them. but it is scholars and scientists and other persons of superior intellectual attainments who are of most value to our country and should be given higher priority. Mr. Speaker. I should like to make it clear in the record that it is our intent that those who administer this program give primary consideration. in granting these visas. to bona fide refugees from Communistor other persecution. who have special abilities. training or skills which will make them of maximum value to the United States of America.