Speaker. I come before you today to express my sadness regarding the great tragedy and injustice that is taking place in the Soviet Union. I am referring to the ongoing policy that refuses to allow certain Soviet Jews from emigrating from the Soviet Union. particularly the Jacob Sosna family. A year ago I came before the Congress to speak on behalf of the Sosna family. who were among those in the Soviet Union who had been waiting for emigration visas for over 7 years. They are still waiting. In July 1974. Jacob Sosna. along with his wife Rimma. son Boris. 85yearold mother. and disabled uncle. all applied for emigration visas. Boris was the only member of the family to receive a visa and was then forced to travel to Israel by himself. After losing their jobs as a telephone communications engineer and a factory technician. Rimma and Jacob were both told they would have to wait unitl 1985 for their visas. The reason for the refusals was Rimmas supposed knowledge of state secrets through her job. a charge which was later withdrawn by Rimma Sosnas former employer. but to no avail for the Sosnas. Since that time. they have received 11 refusals.
Keywords matched
emigration emigrating visas visa