I appreciate the support of the distinguished Senator from Mississippi and the distinguished Senator from Illinois and. as well. I am delighted to have the support of 52 of our colleagues in this body for this proposal that would establish a special Senate panel on asylum. The need for this panel stems from a loss of faith that the American people once had in the asylum policies of this Nation. and in the commitment of our leaders to assure that these policies are strictly followed. The recent bungling of the case of Miroslav Medvid. and the subsequent unwillingness of the U.S. Government to acknowledge the concerns of 70 Members of the Senate and reopen this case. has cast a dark shadow on the publics view of U.S. asylum procedures. and the message that this is sending to wouldbe defectors around the world. This fact was dramatically demonstrated 2 days ago when a Polish defector asked for the intervention of a U.S. Senator. before allowing himself to be turned over to border patrol officials. It is a sorry state of affairs when a defector first asks to see a priest and then a U.S. Senator prior to being interviewed by an official of the executive department. the border patrol. or the INS. It is sad testimony to the miserable state of affairs which exist. With regard to the Medvid case.
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border patrol asylum policies