Mr. President. I introduce. for appropriate reference. a joint resolution to vest in the Attorney General permanent authority to cope with the continuing problem of the admission of refugees into the United -States. This joint resolution is very similar to House Joint Resolution 397. introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative FRANCIS E. WALTER. chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. The joint resolution expands the Attorney Generals present authority under section 212(d) (5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to parole aliens into the country for "emergent reasons." The most notable use ever made of this authority was the admission of some 32.000 Hungarian refugees following the illfated uprising in their homeland in the fall of 1956. This action was followed by the enactment last year of a special law granting the Hungarian refugees the privilege of remaining in the United States as permanent residents. if they are able to meet existing legal requirements for admission. The two steps taken in regard to Hungarian refugees describe. in brief. the mechanics of the joint resolution. First. the Attorney General is given legislative direction to use his parole authority to admit refugees and escapees. Second. a procedure is established to grant aliens admitted under that authority the privilege of remaining in the United States as permanent residents. with the right. eventually. of acquiring U.S. citizenship. Mr. President. World Refugee Year is about to begin in the United States by Presidential proclamation on July 1. Various proposals are being made for U.S. participation in a program during the coming year to help alleviate the world refugee problems. There could be no better occasion for the adoption of a permanent law concerning the admission of refugees into the United States.
Keywords matched
Immigration Refugee refugee refugees