Speech #1000061745

President. I am pleased to join my good friend and distinguished colleague from Illinois in introducing the Polish Permanent Resident Adjustment Act. This legislation addresses the plight of 7.000 to 10.000 political refugees. who had to flee Poland 6 years ago when marital law was imposed. Since martial law. the United States has granted these people extended voluntary departure [EVD] status on a 6month basis. Such status is necessary to prevent their deportation to Poland. Recently. the State Department recommended the end of Polish EVD status. which would allow Polish nationals without valid visas to be expelled from the United States. I am pleased to note that the administration. after hearing my objections and those of my colleagues. has decided to reject the State Department recommendation and extend Polish EVD status until the end of the year. However. this is not a permanent solution. Twice a year. for the last 6 years. these Polish refugees have faced the possibility of being deported to Poland. To put these people in jeopardy by ending their EVD status is cruel and inhuman. If these Poles were forced back into the hands of the Jaruzelski regime. they would be subJected to discrimination. denied jobs and housing. and possibly jailed. Furthermore. removing EVD status would be tantamount to issuing an unqualified certificate of good conduct in the area of human rights of the Polish Communist authorities. Most of these Polish refugees have been living in the United States for a longer period of time than required to obtain citizenship. They have work permits and are legally employed. Many have had children here who are American citizens. Clearly. it is time we welcome these political refugees. and remove the threat of deportation. The legislation we are introducing today will provide the Justice Department with the ability to grant these Poles permanent resident status and eventually allow them to apply for U.S. citizenship. I have been working with the White House and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to assure there will be a smooth administrative process for these people once this legislation is passed. Mr. President.