We should not abandon our centuriesold position as a haven for oppressed people around the globe. Mr. President. we must not forget for one moment that this Nation is responsible for these people unlike no refugee group in history. By agreeing with the Cuban Government to take in those who expressed a desire to emigrate. this Nation placed thousands of Cubans in an untenable positionone for which the airlift is the only solution. For us to turn our backs now would be intolerable. Termination of the airlift would not only betray our historic humanitarian tradition. but would directly penalize those men and women who took us at our word and in good faith registered to leave.
Keywords matched
emigrate refugee