I commend the Senator from Rhode Island. with whom I am associated on the bill as a cosponsor. for bringing to the attention of the Senate this very serious and humane problem. These people. as the Senator from Rhode Island has stated. have been forced from their homes by a series of almost unprecedented natural disasters. which are continuing. Under the bill 1.500 of these people would be permitted to come to the United States. if they meet the standards which people who wish to make their homes here must meet under our immigration laws. We have a tradition in this country not only of providing asylum for those who suffer from political persecutionmans inhumanity to manbut also of providing for those who suffer from natural disasters. I think this is a tragic case deserving of attention in every respect. particularly because the people who have come from the Azores previously have made excellent citizens.
Identified stereotypes
People from the Azores are described as having made "excellent citizens" previously.