They were here as asylees only because it is unsafe for them to return. And that is the grace and nobility of the law. as it was originally intended. That is why we provided only 5.000 slots for that when we passed the Refugee Act of 1980. Now it is so abused. I will not even go into the anecdotal material. Senator BYRD has done so. as has Senator KASSEBAUM in her statement. We have a separate refugee policy to enable people who are outside of their countries of nationality. and who do honestly have a wellfounded fear of persecution. Our refugee policy allows people to apply for refugee status at refugee processing centers. U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. We should not make It more attractive for aliens to enter the United States. legally or illegally. to apply for asylum than it is for them to apply for refugee status abroad. So I certainly support the findings of the Kassebaum amendment and the policy it proposes. I pay tribute to Senator BYRD. who deserves the total award and honor for consistency throughout. Whether it had to do with refugees or illegal immigration or legal immigration or parole. or all the various distinctions. he has followed that through his entire career. So. Senator KENNEDY. Senator SIMON. and I. working with the administration and the Attorney General. have reached a bipartisan agreement on expedited asylum procedures for those aliens attempting to enter with fraudulent documents. or with no documents. I am also drafting major legislation to provide a more streamlined asylum process for those people who are already in the United States. or who come to the United States to claim asylum. I know in the course of that. I will have Senator ROBERT BYRDand Senator NANCY KASSEBAUM.
Keywords matched
asylum process immigration refugees Refugee refugee illegal immigration