I can understand the desire of any and all South Vietnamese who wished to leave that land. I am aware. as well. of the very real concern on the part of many Americans at the prospect that large numbers of South Vietnamese may soon be competing for what few jobs there are available in our present economy. And further. if press reports are to be believed. there are many among the refugees whose recent pasts can best be described as unsavory. On the other hand. there is one group of South Vietnamese and Cambodians to which this country has a real debt. These are the people who have served the U.S. interests in Southeast Asia and who have performed services the nature of which would place their lives or their freedom in jeopardy.
Identified stereotypes
Some refugees are described as having an 'unsavory' past.