Mr. Speaker. I believe we are in a period of flux right now. where the Soviet Union seems to be amenable to granting emigration permits on a casebycase basis. Yet. we continue to wait for the signal that their overall human rights policy has changed in a concrete fashion. In 1984. only 896 Individuals were allowed to participate in the family reunification process. In 1985. this figure increased only slightly to 1.140. We are nowhere near the more than 50.000 who were granted permission in 1979. yet over 400.000 have made known their desire to emigrate. It Is for them that we seek a changed emigration policy. And unless and until that occurs. in concert with a cessation of the arrests and harassments that plague the Soviet Jewish community. the United States will have no other alternative than to maintain Its present posture. We cannot rest until all who desire freedom are granted Itwe can do no less for our fellow human beings.
Keywords matched
family reunification emigrate emigration