Speech #1010079051

Washington. DC. ear 1990- DEAR MR. PRESIDEN: As required by Secnticipated tion 207 of The Refugee Act of 1980 (P.L. 96212). members of the Committee on the ond to the Judiciary have now consulted with your repby estab- resentatives on the proposed refugee admisceiling of sions level for fiscal year 1990. t resettle- While we continue to support the objectives of your proposalas we have in years pastwe are very concerned that this years dmissions proposed budgetary support will simply not meet refugee needs around the world. It was Proposed clear from the Committees hearing on Sepceiling tember 15th that the funds budgeted for 3.000 125.000 admissions falls short iomoe $110 million from what will actually be needed to implement it. both here and abroad. 25.000 In short. without a reallocation of re26.500 sources midway during the year. the pend250.000 ing refugee admissions proposal will clearly 6.500 face serious fiscal or program problems. We also want to once again express our 3.500 concern that we maintain an appropriate balance as we allocate our resources be6.500 tween the resettlement of refugees in the United States and the provision of assist121.000 ance to refugees in first asylum countries. As our refugee admissions have increased. Africa ............................................................... .................. 2.000 1.700 East Asi: From firs asylum countries ......................................... 28.000 28.000 From Vietnam und OR ........................................... 22.000 120.000 our contributions to refugee assistance abroad have declined. It is important to keep in mind that for the $7.000-$8.000 we spend for each refugee resettled In the United States. more than 100 refugees in camps could be sustained. For many of the 14 million refugees around the world. our humanitarian assistance is a matter of life or death. However. we commend you for your humanitarian leadership regarding refugee admissions for the coming year. even during difficult budgetary times. And while we concur in your proposal. we do so with the understanding that refugee numbers. and related budgetary limits. will require us to consult again with your representatives to make adjustments later in the fiscal year. In separate correspondence to Secretary of State James A. Baker. III. from members of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs. these concerns will be outlined in more detail. We will remain in close contact with the Secretary and the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs as the refugee program is implemented during the course of the year. Many thanks for your consideration. and best wishes. Sincerely.