Mr. President. according to an article appearing in the Washington Post on June 10. 1967. the U.S. Government Is opposed to accepting political refugees from Communist China who attempt to enter this country by way of Hong Kong. When I subsequently checked with both the Washington office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Department of State Visa Office. I learned that the basis of this exclusion was not a specific statutory bar. but rather the administrative interpretation of section 203(a) (7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to that provision. certain refugeesa maximum of 10.200may be admitted to the United States each year on a conditional basis if they fulfill the following requirements: First. If they are fleeing "any Communist or Communistdominated country" or the Middle East because of persecution or fear of persecution on account of race. religion. or political opinion. are unable to return to that country for those reasons. and are not nationals of the countries in which their application for entry is being made. or Second. If they are uprooted by "catastrophic natural calamity"-as defined by the Presidentand are unable to return to their homes. As this provision of law is administered. political refugees from Communist nations must enter. conditionally. from one of only seven countriesAustria. Belgium. France.
Keywords matched
Immigration Naturalization refugeesa refugees Visa