There are some 39.000 Chinese students and scholars here in the United States today. Approximately 29.000 students are studying at accredited American colleges and universities. another 10.000 are visiting scholars and students at unaccredited universities. Many of them are J1 visas. some are here on F1 visas. but the reality is. if we only temporarily extend their visa. we give them no certainty of whether we will be there to help them in time of need financially. workwlse. or otherwise. We give them no signal that this is going to be a longterm commitment. and none of us. and certainly can we expect none of them. are going to risk the possibilities of the torture and consequences that could be placed upon them if we changed our minds later on. They are not going to come forth and ask for that extension of their visas unless we send them some signal that we stand ready to permanently help them to stay here until real change occurs in China. Mr. Chairman. that means a lot of things. As we contacted different Government agencies. frankly no one today can tell us what those things are going to be in American policy to give them the assistance financially. workwise. immigrationwise. or otherwise. So. we have created in section (f) a task force headed up by the Secretary of State with the other governmental agencies to really look into and assess these specific needs and the status of the citizens that are here to recommend both to the Congress and to the President the programs and policy changes that are necessary to create. directly or indirectly. a clearinghouse that can work with our universities and to report back to us within 60 days so that we might move forward. Mr.
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