Speech #960183309

I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. and I associate myself with his remarks. The primary criticism of this bill. in my opinion. has been twofold. First. the refugee policy set forth in this bill was not coordinated with our legal immigration policy of nonrefugee immigrants. and also that it is not coordinated with the illegal alien problem which all of us recognize exists in the United States. The amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia is a start at making this kind of coordination and. thus. is a step in the right direction. The second major criticism against this legislation. as I see it. is the fact that the legislation is being passed prior to the report of the Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy. which is due to come in in 1981. By sunsetting the increased flow of refugees at the end of fiscal year 1982. it will give the Congress an opportunity to review the report of that commission and its recommendations and hopefully enact a permanent policy relating to both refugees and non refugee immigrants. I am glad the gentleman has offered the amendment. I hope it is adopted.