Resettlement in third countries has increased. Ihis has somewhat eased the burden of firstasylum countries. Boats of refugees are not now being pushed back to the sea. Nevertheless. the situation remains grave. In addition to some 150.000 Khmer in temporary holding centers in "1hailand. some 230.000 Indochinese remain in refugee camps. Many of those in refugee camps have been waiting for resettlement for as long as 5 years. Without sustained resettlement commitments from the United States and other countries. these people face a bleak futurean existence without hope. Many are haunted by the prospect of forced repatriation. with persecution and possible death in their homelands. Flagging international interest. a sharp new influx of refugees. or new tension in the region could prompt changes of policy toward the refugees by the countries of first asylum. I want to point out that most of the Indochinese refugees we propose to admit this year have ties in the United Statesrelatives already In this country or past associations with the U.S. Government or U S. institutions. In addition. we propose to admit a substantial number of refugees who have been languishing for years in refugee camps and have no other resettlement prospects. Let me note that some of the Vietnamese qualified for admission by virtue of family ties or nolitical persecution may come directly from Vietnam to the United States. If the Vietnamese authorities permit the planned "direct departure" program to go forward.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees