The Lautenberg amendment is important because it will provide an extension of existing law through the next Russian elections in 1996. We must all remember that Hitler was first elected with only 18 percent of the vote. and then rose to power a few years later. In addition to Soviet Jews and other historically persecuted groups in the New Independent States. many refugee applicants from IndoChina still suffer as a result of their previous associations with the United States. their political actions against the hardline Marxist government. and for their religious beliefs. It is also important that existing law be extended to apply to these groups of persecuted people as well. The Lautenberg amendment has no impact on the number of refugees entering the United States annually. These numbers are still determined every year through consultations between the administration and Congress. Nor will this amendment confer automatic refugee status on any applicant who falls within its designated groups. The Lautenberg amendment simply establishes guidelines for the adjudication of refugee status. It allows an individual from a specific group of historicallypersecuted peoples to provide a credible basis for concern about the possibility of persecution. Mr.
Keywords matched
refugees refugee