Speech #990108901

DC. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: This is to advise you of several of my deep concerns relating to the Administrations refugee admissions proposal which was presented to the consultative members of the Committee on the Judiciary by the Secretary of State on September 19. 1985. First of all. I do not believe the proposed 70.000 refugee numbers is consistent with the Administrations previously stated obJective of "managing down" the Indochinese refugee program. Since the refugee situation in Indochina has not worsened over the past year and in view of the fact that the countries in the region are following a humane first asylum policy. I see no valid reason why admissions cannot be reduced for Fiscal Year 1986. Second. there is a likelihood that the House will follow the lead of its Appropriations Committee and reduce the funding level for the refugee program. We were told that such an action could have the effect of reducing the refugee admissions level to 53.000. I am not wedded to an admissions number. but 53.000 may be an appropriate admissions level in light of possible funding cuts and in light of the fact that may domestic programs for poor and underprivileged Americans have recently suffered drastic budget cuts. As you know. I fought hard to maintain the Judiciary Committees recommended funding for the domestic resettlement program during House floor consideration of the Refugee Reauthorization legislation. My efforts were unsuccessful. The recommendations of my Subcommittee which had been accepted by the full Judiciary Committee were flatly rejected by our colleagues. This underscores the need to deal realistically in setting admissions levels with likely funding reductions. The United States should not admit any more refugees for resettlement than it is willing to properly finance. Accordingly. and in further light of the Administrations decision to terminate targeted assistance to communities heavily impacted by refugee admissions. I think the admissions numbers should be reduced. Thirdly. Mr. President. the State Department has failed to commit the necessary personnel and resources to monitoring the use of the millions of dollars it grants to the voluntary agencies to resettle refugees. I