Speech #930120927

Speaker. I have today introduced legislation which will open the United States to those suffering political persecution in Chile. I urge that the United States give the same treatment to those suffering persecution in Chile as we have given to the Hungarian freedom fighters and the refugees from Fidel Castros Cuba. In the last few months. I. along with other Members of Congress and citizens throughout the world. have called upon the Soviet Union to permit her citizens freedom to emigrate. The United States is very proud of its tradition of admitting those who have been the victims of social. religious. and political persecution. Reports from Chile indicate that Chilean citizens will no longer be given safe conduct passes for political asylum abroad. Many political refugees have gathered in the embassies in Chile. In addition. approximately 7.000 people are imprisoned in the national stadium. I am greatly concerned for the 40.000 or more foreigners now in Chile as political exiles under the government of the late President Salvador Allende. I am hopeful that the United Nations Commission for Refugees will be successful in aiding these unfortunate people. According to press reports. more than 500 people. mostly Latin Americans. have found political asylum in embassies in Chile. Unfortunately. the Chilean junta has put up guards around most embassies to block those seeking political asylum. I am distressed beyond measure by the reports of the American citizens who have recently arrived in Miami from Chile to the effect that 400 to 500 people have been systematically murdered by Chiles new military leaders. The United States has always been a haven for those forced to emigrate because of social. religious. and political upheaval. From the earliest days of our history. pilgrims. Huguenots. Jews. and Catholics have been welcomed when persecution in their homelands forced them to emigrate. I am hopeful that we can live up to these traditions. A copy of the bill follows: H.R. 10525 A bill for the relief of certain distressed aliens Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That. notwithstanding the provisions of any other law. there are authorized to be issued fifty thousand special immigrant visas to aliens specified in section 2 of this Act seeking to enter the United States as immigrants. and the spouses and children of such aliens. if accompanying or following to join them. SEC. 2. Visas authorized to be issued under the first section of this Act shall be issued only to citizens of Chile who are seeking to enter the United States to avoid persecution. whether such persecution Is evidenced by overt acts or by laws or governmental regulations that discriminate against such aliens. or any group to which they belong. because of their political beliefs or associations. SEC. 3. Visas authorized to be issued under this Act may be issued by consular officers in accordance with the provisions of section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality Act: Provided. That each such alien is found to be eligible to be issued an immigrant visa and to be admitted to the United States under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act: Provided further. That a visa is not immediately available to such alien under the Immigration and Nationality Act at the time of his application for a visa. SEC. 4. Aliens receiving visas under the first section of this Act shall be exempt from paying the fees prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 281 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. SEC. 5. The definitions contained in section 101(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply in the adminIstration of this Act.