Speech #1000061746

Mr. President. today I am cosponsoring a bill that would grant permanent resident status to Polish refugees who entered the United States before July 24. 1984. The bill. titled "The Polish Permanent Resident Adjustment Act of 1987." protects 7.000 Poles who currently call the United States "home." Currently Polish refugees are allowed to stay in this country under a special immigrant status called Extended Voluntary Departure. This status is only granted for increments of 6 months. If the Immigration and Naturalization Service fails too renew extended voluntary departure status. these 7.000 Polish refugees will be deported. Attorney General Edwin Meese III has extended until December 31. 1987. the voluntary departure status for these Polish refugees. many of whom were members of the outlawed labor movementSolidarity. The Attorney General is to be commended for this action. however. it necessarily only resolves the question for 6 months. This bill has the power to remove permanently the fear and uncertainty from these brave peoples lives. If these Polish refugees were sent back to Poland when the extended voluntary departure status runs out at the end of this year. they would almost certainly be refused housing and employment. and might even be jailed. Their crime would be asking asylum in the United States. which is considered a treasonable offense in Poland. Mr.