There have been no fundamental changes in provisions of H.R. 1510 nor shifts in public opinion during the past four months. Why then. is there now a change of heart among House leaders? The Roybal plan is a far better attempt to establish a dialogue which may lead to a fair and just longterm immigration policy. So far. such a public forum has not existed. Since its inception by the Presidents Select Commission on Immigration Reform. the SimpsonMazzoli bill has been distorted by purely political considerations during and after the 197980 election year as well as being flawed by exclusionist sentiments against newcomers from Asia and Latin America. Our organization. PACTS. has been monitoring immigration and refugee legislation for a network of over 500 Asian and Pacific American churches and national church bodies. In January 1982. we were the first group to deliver a petition to Senator Alan Simpson expressing opposition to the elimination of the Fifth Preference by over 3000 persons from Hawaii to New York. We hope that such outpourings of public disapproval will not have to be again mobilized during the second session of this Congress.
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Immigration immigration refugee