Mr. Calfano. said to us was they had to set the limit somewhere. [] 1520 There was no basis in fact that people could make the transition easily during the originallyenvisioned period of time. As a matter of fact. onequarter of those people in refugee status who have resettled in southern California who are now receiving welfare payments have been here since 1975. So. recognizing the fact that some had already been here and that when this bill would go into effect allowing for a 4year support by the Federal Government of services for these people. that those who already have been here for 4 years would be taken out of that consideration. the bill originally had a 1year grandfather clause. What this amendment does is to give a 2year grandfather clause so that those of us in this country. in those areas which have a large number of refugees who came over on the first wave that have not made a successful assimilation into the surrounding society. will have an opportunity of 2 years in which to set up our program. to allow the people to get off cash assistance. to allow the people to get off welfare and medical assistance and allow them to start with the same benefits as those who are coming here now. Mr. Chairman. there are those who question the fact that in some States refugees seem to get off welfare rolls more quickly than in other areas. The fact of the matter is. in California. Texas. and any other number of States. we have what is called secondary migration. This means you have refugees from Southeast Asia who initially came to resettle in this country in other States.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees