Speech #870270333

France. Italy. and other countries. Proper liberalization of our immigration laws. taking into consideration those who suffered the most and who under present rigid standards are prevented from emigration should be seriously considered at this time. Again here. as in the case of economic aid to Poland. discretion should be used and our immigration laws should include ample provisions to administer the statutes in a human fashion. No deportation to Poland of bona fide refugees and recent escapees should be permitted. especially so when they seek political asylum in our country. The argument that there is no terror in Poland now. consequently every Polish national is safe to return to his homeland. that he will not be molested there. imprisoned. or otherwise persecuted. is simply a fallacy. It is based on a false premise and devoid of realism. Blacklisting of repatriates. including those who were invited by numerous institutions serving the Communist regime in Poland. are not isolated cases. The fact that arrests are not made immediately upon a persons return to hisor herPolish homeland. only proves that political expediency has taught the Communists to change methods. but not their aims. The unsolved Polish refugee problem in Western Europe presents mounting difficulties to the nationwide PolishAmerican voluntary agency. the PolishAmerican Immigration and Relief Committee with headquarters in New York. This institution. observing this year the 15th anniversary of its noble service. represents the interests of the stateless. downtrodden victims of World War II. and victims of postwar brutality and inhumanity at the hands of totalitarian. modern barbarians. It is a recognized voluntary agency working in close cooperation with our Department of State. and as such it well merits continued and substantial U.S. Government assistance. Polish refugees and recent escapees have made history since the termination of hostilities in World War II. While no general peace treaty is forthcoming and while it is difficult to define with whom and by whom such a treaty should be signed. former foes having turned into friends. and former allies into enemies. the fact remains that the world refugee problem is with us. perhaps for years to come or at least as long as the free world permits totalitarian forces to stir up trouble in many sections of the terrestial globe. I for one do not propose to abandon hope for solution of the Polish refugee problem. I for one do not propose to abandon our wartime allies who were first to fight Hitlers aggression. who distinguished themselves mobilizing huge volunteer armies that were on the side of the Western Allies in the battle of England. in the Norwegian fjord at Narvik. in Tobruk in Africa. Falaise in France. and Arnhem in Holland. and last but not least. at Monte Cassino which they wrested from the Nazi armies.