Speech #870074902

The friend became apprehensive that the Polish officials had found out about her escape and knew that she might attempt to come to Queens for asylum. Therefore. not wanting to take any chances. refuge was found for Miss Wojtowicz elsewhere. Friends of Miss Wojtowicz then contacted the PolishAmerican Immigration and Relief Committee for their advice on how to handle Miss Wojtowicz case. On June 6. the executive vice president of the committee. Mr. W. Zachariasiewicz. reported the case to the Immigration and Naturalization Service Office in New York and arranged for a preliminary examination for political asylum for Miss Wojtowicz. On June 9. she was served with an order of deportation and was offered an opportunity to show cause why she should not be deported. An application for a stay of the order of deportation was immediately submitted and a hearing held. I have been in touch with the Service about this. but up to the present time there has been no determination of this hearing. and Miss Wojtowicz status in the United States remains uncertain. The general problem of Iron Curtain country citizens seeking asylum in the United States is one that deserves the earnest attention of the Congress. After living a life under tyrannical communism and finally seizing an opportunity to seek freedom in the United States. it is unfortunate that an individual must be subjected to deportation proceedings before it can be established that he or she is legitimately seeking political asylum in the United States. The purpose of my bill would be to grant to Miss Wojtowicz permanent residence in the United States as of the date of its enactment. Miss Wojtowicz is a symbol to millions of imprisoned people behind the Iron Curtain who are yearning for the opportunity of free expression and freedom of religioncherished liberties that all Americans hold so dear.