Mr. President. on behalf of myself. the Senator from Hawaii . the Senator from Massachusetts . the Senator from Rhode Island . and the Senator from Pennsylvania . I introduce for appropriate reference. a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to permit the adjustment of status of refugees resident in the United States. who are natives of countries contiguous to . the United States or of any adjacent islands. including Cuba. The bill eliminates the technical requirement of our immigration laws which requires such aliens to leave this country and reenter. in order to become eligible for permanent residence. I do not question this requirement for aliens who have come here through normal procedure and in casual circumstances. and then elect to apply for permanent residence. The requirement. however. would seem to have little justification in the case of refugees from the Communist regime in Cuba. Certainly. their entry into this country was anything but normal and casualthey were under duress and fleeing oppression. Moreover. the requirement inhibits the rather substantial Federal program of assistance administered by the Department of Health.
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Immigration immigration refugees