Speech #1000032160

Mr. President. a few weeks ago I commented on the issue of our political asylum process following the Supreme Courts recent landmark decision in INS versus CardozaFonseca. That decision of the Court upheld the intent of Congress in its passage of the Refugee Act of 1980 by ruling that the administration has been overly rigid in its applications of our political asylum process. Mr. President. I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues a thoughtful contribution to the public debate on the asylum issue by an imminent expert on immigration and refugee affairs. Doris Meissner has served with distinction on this issue. both inside and outside government. and is well known to many of us here in the Senate. I believe her recommendations add some very practical suggestions following the Supreme Courts decision by outlining steps which would increase the responsiveness of our asylum system. without the same time overburdening the process.