Mr. President. on the eve of the first meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev. I believe the Senate should again express its deep concern for the plight of Soviet Jews who have sought to emigrate from behind the Iron Curtain. In 1979. the Soviets allowed 51.320 Jews to emigrate. In the last 5 years. fewer than 36.000 Jews have been issued emigration visas. This travesty reached a low point in 1984 when the Soviets permitted only 896 Jews to emigrate. All too many horror stories have been heard in the Western world of bright young Soviet Jews who have been forced out of their Jobs. arrested on false charges. and often placed in Soviet mental hospitals for "observation." solely because they or members of their family have sought emigration visas. This must not be allowed to continue. Despite international outrage. including a tremendous amount of pressure from this Congress. the Soviet Union has maintained its prejudicial policies toward Soviet Jews.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration visas