Speech #980131016

D.C. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The Committee on the Judiciary has now concluded its Consultations with your representatives on the recommended refugee admissions for fiscal year 1984. The Committee believes that the proposed level of refugee admissions for fiscal year 198472.000reasonably reflects the existing international refugee situation. and will serve to support our traditional humanitarian commitment to assist victims of persecution throughout the world. We note that the Administration also proposes to make an adjustment to permanent resident status of up to 5.000 asylees during fiscal year 1984 which action will effectively provide a total of 77.000 slots for permanent resettlement in the United States for those who have fled political persecution in their own homelands. We appreciate the efforts of the Administration in 1983 in: (1) closely monitoring refugee resettlement in order to assure fiscal accountability within the resettlement agencies. (2) reducing secondary migration by improving the quality of initial refugee placement. and (3) encouraging early achievement of refugee selfsufficiency. We look forward to working with the Bureau of Refugee Programs and the Office of Refugee Resettlement to accomplish even greater improvement in 1984. The Committee was pleased that the interchange of views this year addressed not only refugee admissions. but also the international refugee assistance program. We support the concept that a generous program of humanitarian aid complements a reasonable resettlement effort. The Committee emphasizes the importance of the relief assistance provided by the United States to alleviate the misery and suffering of refugees throughout the world. The staff of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Policy recently filed a report on Refugee Problems in Central America. The report identifies areas of critical need for additional humanitarian assistance in that region. and we strongly recommend the consideration of the report. Finally. Mr. President. we do wish to express our continued support of your efforts to encourage others in the international community to respond both to the resettlement needs of refugees and to the providing of assistance to refugees. and we applaud the successes you have had in those efforts. With best personal regards. Most sincerely.