Speech #970238819

Mr. Speaker. when H.R. 6514. the immigration bill reaches the House floor. I will offer an amendment to clarify the status of individuals who have been granted asylum. Specifically. the amendment would provide that a person who has been granted asylum may not be involuntarily removed from the United States notwithstanding the laws of any State or any Judicial decree of any court of any State. This amendment would clarify the status of Walter Polovchak. the 15yearold Ukranian boy who is involved in an Illinios State court custody battle. As my colleagues know. Walter fled from his parents to avoid returning with them to the Soviet Union and was granted asylum by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Pursuant to a State court proceeding he was placed in the custody of the State. However. an intermediate appellate court in Illinois reversed the lower courts decision and this decision is being appealed to the Supreme Court. It is clear that a State court custody award of Walter to his parents who are living in the Soviet Union would conflict with the asylum status granted to Walter by the Immigration Service. This would clearly violate the supremacy clause. This amendment will insure that Walters rights are protected.