Speech #960183738

I bring to the attention of the Members some statistical data relating to the current state of the refugee situation. as of November 15. 1979: National Refugee Population: 267.102. Number of Refugees in California: 123.000 (This figure represents the State of Californias best estimate of its current refugee population. including scondary migration refugees. The official HEW estimate for California. 87.325. does not include the secondary migration refugees.) Projected Number of Refugees in California: Fiscal year 1980. 197.000. Fiscal year 1981. 277.500. Number on aid nationwide:- 45 percent*. Number on aid in California: 48.200. or 39 percent of total refugee population. Percent of California caseload in the country more than 48 months currently receiving cash or medical assistance: 15 percent. Californias refugee program is characterized by several problems not found in other states. These are: 1. Large population. 2. Family reunification. 3. A reputation for job opportunities. and 4. Heavy urban concentration. * From Congressional Budget Office. cost estimate. House of Representatives Committee Report No. 96608. p. 35. 1. Large Population: A very large number of the first wave of refugees in 1975 was placed in Southern California. at Camp Pendleton. while community sponsorships were being arranged. Many of the first refugees were resettled in California bcause many sponsorships developed here. The generosity of Californians and their willingness to help refugees is evidenced by the fact that about 30 percent of all subsequent refugee arrivals are now In California. 2. Family Reunification: These first arrivals established a core of refugee residents and the roots of an active refugee community which was looked upon for leadership by new refugees. This. together with the cosmopolitan nature of our population. has provided a more comfortable environment for refugees. In addition. as more refugees are admitted to the U.S. and refugees are permitted to sponsor other refugees. California becomes the focal polnt of family reunification. 3. Californias Reputation for Job Opportunities: We believe that many refugees unable to find work in other states migrate to California because of our states reputation for employment opportunities. Survey data indicate that in December 1978 fully onehalf of outofstate refugees receiving aid In California were on aid in their prior state. Of greater importance is the fact that of those secondary migrants applying for aid onehalf were unaided in former states of residehce. This means that they willingly abandoned sources of income elsewhere to come to California. 4. Heavy Urban Concentration: About 70 percent of our refugee population has chosen to settle in Southern California. This area is well known for a temperate climate which more closely approximates that of Southeast Asia than other areas of the nation. As a result. upwards of 80.000 refugees reside in Los Angeles. Orange. and San Diego areas alone making job placement and assimilation extremely difficult in- this limited geographic area. By contrast New York State has only 7.000 refugees. who presumably are dispersed throughout the state. Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the DanielsonLungren amendment to the Refugee Act of 1979 to make the act consistent with Public Law 96110 (the Cambodian relief bill) by extending 100 percent Federal funding for domestic refugee costs to September 30. 1981. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment because the cost of integrating Southeast Asian refugees is a national responsibility that ought to be shared by all Americans. Congress has confirmed this concept in the original Indochina Refugee Migration and Assistance Act of 1975 and recently by enacting a 2year continuation of Federal funding in the Cambodian Relief Act (Public Law 96110). Without immediate passage of this amendment. the burden for health and welfare costs of refugees will fall unfairly on local governments in States where large groups of refugees are settling. The problem is clearly seen in my home State of Texas. The most recent figures available indicate that Texas has the second largest number of refugees in the United States with 26.015 out of approximately 260.000. Of those refugees in Texas. approximately 25 percent are receiving some form of cash assistance and medicaid. Unless the Federal Government fully funds the resettlement of these refugees. the cost will be passed on to State and local government. The Southeast Asian refugee situation continues to be unstable and many refugees in the United States are not moving quickly off of welfare rolls into the economy. The refugees arriving in this country in the last 18 months are not able to become selfsupporting immediately due to cultural differences. health factors and a low level of employment skills. Texas is not the only State where refugee resettlement is a problem. It exists as a significant problem in California. Pennsylvania.