Speech #1030077632

Madam President. I would like to read this amendment. It is the sense of the Senate that no person who was a member of the Armed Forces of Iraq during the period from August 2. 1990. to February 28. 1991. and who was in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia as of the date of enactment of this act. shall be granted entry into the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act. as amended. unless the President certifies to Congress prior to such entry that such person. No. 1. assisted the United States or Coalition Armed Forces after defection from the Armed Forces of Iraq or after captured by the United States or Coalition Armed Forces and. No. 2. did not commit or assist in the commission of war crimes. In essence. this amendment is to indicate to the administration that it is the sense of this body. and hopefully of the other body. that those persons who were serving in the Iraqi military. and in that capacity took up arms against the coalition military forces during Desert Shield and Desert Storm should not be allowed into this country for resettlement and given a status from which they can compete for jobs and other benefits with our own veterans. many of whom are still struggling with the aftermath of their heroic service in that Persian gulf conflict. I should hasten to add that it is my understanding that the vast majority of Iraqis who have been admitted to the United States as refugees since the end of Desert Storm have been civilians who have a legitimate fear of persecution in Iraq. and thus qualify for refugee status. My concern is with that small number of Iraqi refugees who served in the Iraqi military during the time of Desert Shield and Desert Storm against United States and a coalition Armed Forces. My amendment does make an exception for these former Iraqi soldiers who assisted the coalition war effort after their capture or defection. There are a number who fall in this category and who should be helped because of their assistance to our war effort.