Mr. Speaker. today I am introducing legislation which will enable the Federal Government to pay for the care of Vietnamese refugees upon their arrival in the United States. This is a problem of immediate importance. The evacuation of Vietnamese refugees has been underway for some time. To date. it has unfortunately been a scene of confusion at almost every level. We have all seen news reports of the panic among residents of Saigon. What is even more appalling is the lack of any definite plans for the accommodation of these people when and if they reach our country. And they are coming. Indeed. many refugees from the Vietnam conflict are already in this country. Many of them have entered illegally. causing even more confusion for local officials. My distinguished colleague from California has reported that a planeload of refugees arrived in his district. without any papers. legal status. or accommodations. Other areas have reported similar situations. The flow of refugees to Guam has already become so heavy that many of these people are being sent to Wake Island. I have made repeated attempts to find out what plans are being made for the care and relocation of these people. This morning. we were informed by the State Department that plans are being made for one or more reception centers to be opened on military reserve bases in the United States. although no decision has been made as to where these bases would be opened. Earlier. the State Department had informed California officials that the State Departments responsibilities would end with the arrival of the refugees into this Nation. I am pleased that the Federal Government is now planning some sort of operation to receive these refugees. The volunteer organizations who have offered to help relocate these people are to be commended. There are no firm figures on how many refugees we expect. The State of California has been told to expect approximately 50.000 refugees. There are already 30.000 refugees in Guam. with more on the way from Saigon and Clark Air Force Base in the Phillipines. However. there is still a strong possibility that State and local governments will have to bear the burden. in the long run. for the care and housing of these refugees. Considering the high rate of unemployment that we already have in this country. it will undoubtedly be some time before the refugees become selfsupporting. And since many of them do not speak English. and are unfamiliar with our customs and way of life. additional problems can be anticipated. The bill I am introducing. along with my colleagues. does not in itself provide money for the refugee problem. It does give the Federal Government the authority under existing law to meet these needs. Briefly. it amends the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to include refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia. As it stands now. this law provides Federal aid for refugees in the United States only if the refugees fled from a nation in the Western Hemisphere. My bill also calls for the Federal Government to consult with the State and local officials who will be affected by an influx of refugees. Mr. Speaker. I believe this bill will provide needed assurance to State and local officials that we do not intend to leave them with a massive financial burden. because of a massive inmigration of Vietnamese refugees. If we are to accept the responsibility for these refugees. we must do so In a complete and effective manner.
Keywords matched
Refugee refugee refugees