Our foreign policy attempts to promote democracy. stability. human rights. freedom of religion. and freedom of movement. While we do not always achieve these objectives. they remain worthy. they remain relevant. and this Senator believes that the American people are still committed to achieving them. One way in which the United States has sought to implement a just foreign policy Is through our acceptance of refugees. Public Law 96212. the Refugee Act of 1980 defined a refugee as "a person who has left his country of nationality. and. * $ who is unable or unwilling to return to. and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of. that country because of persecution or a wellfounded fear of persecution on account of race. religion. nationality. membership In a particular social group. or political opinion. * � � Public Law 96212 title II. Sec. 201(a). Since enactment of the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. the United States has formally recognized the humanitarian urgency and the ethical imperative of admitting victims of persecution." Mr. President. my legislation reaffirms this definition. and reaffirms the United States commitment to people fleeing oppression anywhere in the world. Even as we reaffirm our commitment. we cannot ignore the fact that it is being sorely tested. The changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. along with the ongoing turmoil In Southeast Asia have produced a veritable tidal wave of people who meet our definition of the term "refugee." The task of absorbing refugees Into American society was easy when an occasional artist would defect from the East bloc. or when a trickle of Soviet Jews would be let free. But this task is not as easy as it used to be. New Americans have always provided vitality and talent to our society. be they refugees or socalled regular immigrants. And they will continue to do SO. Mr. President. the promise of freedom which we have made repeatedly over so many years is being challenged. Our refugee programs must change in order to meet this new challenge. I believe that the Refugee Repayment Act represents a major step toward this objective.* By Mr. BOSCHWITZ (for himself. and Mr. MURKOWSKI): S.J.
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immigrants Refugee refugee refugees