What makes this legislation even more timely and appropriate is the recent decision of the State Department not to recommend renewal of EVD status for these people. Evidently. the Department believes the situation has returned to "normal" in Poland. Come July 1. 1987. the very refugees whom President Reagan has defended so eloquently in the past will become eligible for deportation. Since many of the Poles are former members of Solidarity they can expect nothing but harassment and fear upon return to their native land. Instead of replacing a temporary policy with a lasting and just one. it seems the administration intends to follow a policy of no policy. The large majority of the refugees in question have been living in this country for a period longer than that required to obtain U.S. citizenship and have been productive members of the American communitynone of them are on welfare. It is a tragedy that since most of the refugees came to the United States after the general amnesty date of January 1. 1982. they are not eligible for permanent resident status under the new immigration law. I urge my colleagues to join with me in this effort not to turn our backs on people who have fled martial law and Communist rule. Support H.R. 2692.
Keywords matched
immigration deportation refugees