Speech #850164249

The Hungarian nation had already spent itself winning its freedom and. failing help from the Free World. was soon again under the occupation of the Red Army. In the wake of this great tragedy thousands and thousands of Hungarians fled their homeland in fear of their lives. and knowing that with the return of the Russians their liberties and freedoms would be denied them. It was in these circumstances that the United States Government took emergency action to admit some of these refugees into the United States on a parolee status. As the most powerful country of the Free World. in the eyes of most of the people. such humanitarian action was in concert with our stated objectives. The bill which I have introduced. H. R. 11033. has had the very careful consideration and approval of the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality . The chairman has been very much concerned with the Hungarian refugee problem from its very inception. He has always been anxious to help the bona fide refugees from communism just as he took the lead in bringing about the passage of farsighted legislation to meet and resolve the displaced persons problem following World War II. Due to his initiative all the members of the subcommittee have approved the bill which I have introduced. This bill directs that any such refugee paroled into the United States under section 212 (d) (5) c the Immigration and Nationality Act subsequent to October 23. 1956. shall be examined and inspected for admission into the United States in accordance with the provisions of the basic law. This contemplates a primary inspection by an immigration officer. and if necessary. a hearing by a special inquiry officer of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. If. pursuant to such inspection or hearing. the alien is found by the immigration officer or the special inquiry officer to have been and to be presently admissible. as an immigrant. except for the fact that he was not and is not in possession of the necessary passport and visa. the alien shall be regarded as lawfully admitted for permanent residence as of the date of his arrival in the United States. Obviously. if he is not admissible on those terms. the aliens exclusion and deportation would necessarily follow in accordance with the existing provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill makes it very clear that nothing contained therein affects the duties. powers. and functions of the Attorney General granted by the Immigration and Nationality Act or any other immigration or nationality law. It is to be observed that except for the matter of causing certain of these parolees to be regarded as lawfully admitted for permanent residence. something new. this bill merely expresses the original Congressional intent with respect to parolees. their status. and the handling of their cases regarding termination of parole. In that respect this bill restates the substance of existing lawthat a parolee. when returned to the custody of the Immigration Service and found inadmissible under the existing law. has automatically lost his status as a parolee. and is required to be excluded and deported just as any other. excludable alien applying for admission to the United States.