Speech #1010057162

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2712. and commend the distinguished gentlelady from California for her work on this important issue. In the finest humanitarian tradition of this Nation. H.R. 2712 addresses the plight of Chinese studonts residing in this country on J1 visas. After the outrageous tragedy of Tiananmen Square. and despite worldwide criticism. the Chinese Government has continued to hunt down and punish the brave students who participated In the democracy pi . wtsts. Ominously. there are clear Indications that the Chinese authorities are watching studelnts in this country. and that these students will be subject to the same persecution when they return home. I have met with several Chinese students studying In this country. and they tell me that they are both frightened for their friends back home. and afraid to return home themselves. These students have reason to be afraid. Through no fault of their own. they are caught in a bureaucratic catch22 of U.S. immigration law. Under the current Immigration law. all students In this country under the J visa have to return home for 2 years before they are eligible to return to this country. Returning home may be a death sentence for these students. If we force these students to return to China. we will be cooperating with the Chinese Government In persecuting and possibly executing innocent people whose only crime has been to ask for freedom. Responding to the Nations heartfelt concern for the safety of the Chinese students. the Bush administration has made limited. temporary provisions to provide safe haven for them. But In spite of the express concern of Congress. the administration provisions fail to adequately protect the students. One hundred and sixteen Members of the House signed a letter to the President urging him to waive the requirement that students in this country on J1 visas return to China after they have finIshed their studies. But as of this time. the administration has failed to make any further provisions to adequately protect the students. or to respond to our letter explaining their failure to act. In this disappointing void of leadership from the administration.