Speech #1040166900

What we have now is the fact there is no longer any Soviet Union. They are our finest friends. the former Soviet Union. So we are going to continue now. according to the House version. this rather embarrassing mockery of our refugee laws until the end of fiscal year 1998. The Soviet Immigration program has become terribly distorted. There is even evidence that Russian mafia members and other criminals are now beginning to use this system. and why would they not? It is in disarray. But. most importantly. Mr. President. how in the world can we explain our posturing around the world about our rare and wonderful friendship and alliance with the present Russian Government and the present independent states and the Commonwealth and the present affection between President Yeltnin and President Clintonand we do that everydaywhile pretending in some cruel way that somehow people coming out of there are still refugees? That cannot fit. It simply makes absolutely no sense. But. of course. it would not be the first time in this remarkable city. I would not suggest in any possible way that we are forgetting the lessons of the past or the persecution of Jews in the former Soviet Union and throughout the world or the lessons of the Holocaust. but please knowand if we cannot understand this. we are all in troubleplease know that each and every one of those people will be processed on a casebycase basis in an orderly way. all in accordance with the 1980 Refugee Act. the creation of Senator KENNEDY and other innovative legislators. and a piece of very humane and responsible legislation. What does it do? It provides that if one is a refugeethat is a person fleeing persecution or having a wellfounded fear of persecution based on race. religion. national origin. membership in a political organization or social groupa very clear description. it is the U.S. description. it is the U.N. description. Such a person would then be designated as a refugee and that would be done on a casebycase basis. All of those in the former Soviet Union. whether they be Jews or Pentecostals. Christians. Evangelicals. or persons persecuted for their political views. will have the same opportunity as all other true refugees around this world to enter the United States as a refugee. But the Lautenberg amendment and that program must end. With absurdities like this being extended year after year. it is no wonder that people scoff at our immigration and refugee laws. Let us end it now. Mr.