Mr. Speaker. the problems caused by the massive influx of Cuban refugees are particularly acute at Fort Chaffee. Ark. We have all read over the weekend about the civil disorder that took place there. The situation there is intolerable and must be corrected. Although I have been concerned about the refugee situation since the disorganized Cuban boatlift began. I recognized that solutions to those problems had to come from the administration. However. since late last week after being told by a leader of the Hispanic community of Tulsa about the special problems at Fort Chaffee. I have been personally and intensely involved in trying to do something to alleviate the situation. First. some general observations art in order. I have been deluged with complaints about the way the refugee matter has been handled. Clearly many working people fear about their own economic security. Others are concerned about the huge costs to taxpayers that will be incurred. Others very correctly point out that the United States is left carrying virtually the full burden caused by the flight from Cuban communism and that our Latin American neighbors are not sufficiently sharing the load. Without question. the United States at this particular time cannot carry the load alone. The administration needs to press more to resettle some of these refugees in other Western Hemisphere nations. We. both those of us in Congress as well as the American people. need a report on the progress of what other nations are doing to resettle these refugees. As described to me. the Fort Chaffee problem stems from several factors. First. there is not sufficient government presence there to communicate in the Cuban language with the refugees. Second. there are a certain number of troublemakers who are agitating others to disorder and who are spreading rumors which prey on the fears of these people. Third. there was not until recently sufficient law enforcement to provide protection and security.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees