Speech #940059138

Mr. Speaker. today I have introduced legislation which will be known as the Gateway Cities Assistance Act of 1975. This measure has been specifically drafted to authorize Federal assistance to those areas of our country who have high concentrations of foreignborn residents and is especially pertinent in light of the recent influx of over 150.000 refugees from Southeast Asia. Under the provisions of this measure. any city in the United States or its territories who has 3 percent or more of its total population comprised of nonU.S. citizens who have resided in that locality for 6 months or more can qualify for Federal aid in the amount of $1.000 per person. The funds received will be used by these communities to offset the additional expenditures often required to help permanent resident aliens assimilate in the local population. Since immigration and refugee policy is set by the Federal Government. I believe it is only fair that the Federal Government assume its just share of the burden local communities face when impacted by large numbers of refugees. At the present there is no accurate yardstick we can use to measure the effect of refugee policy on socalled Gateway Cities but it is expected to be very considerable. Recently in my own congressional district. the Island of Guam. the impact of thousands of Vietnamese refugees has taxed local resources and placed a burden on the general population despite some vague assurance that the duration of their stay on Guam will be temporary. So great has the concern over refugee policy and its effects on our cities become that Los Angeles. Hawaii. New York. including Guam are all seeking special legislation by the U.S. Congress granting them some degree of control and Federal assistance in this crucial issue. In many instances. the new immigrants will settle in the first place they arrive in America. This can clearly be seen in the large populations of Asians in Guam. Hawaii. and San Francisco.