Speech #1040204680

Unfortunately. one thing has not changed yet. that is the provision I am seeking to amend in this bill. The provisions in the bill would still summarily exclude Ms. Kasinga. and others like her. from ever making an asylum claim. She traveled through Germany on a false British passport in order to escape mutilation in Togo. Under the bill before us. she would be subected to summary exclusion at the border without judicial review. In fact. does anybody in this body believe that an immigration officer at her point of entry would. as a matter of first impression. have agreed with her claim that fear of female genital mutilation was a proper ground to seek asylum? We should. instead. restore protections in our lawG to protect her ability to get a fair opportunity to be heard. On April 19. Anthony Lewis wrote a column for the New York Times that captured the essence of this issue. In his column. he notes. "The asylum provisions effectively impose the absurd presumption that anyone who flees a country without proper papers is not a genuine refugee." As Mr. Lewis puts it. "Political asylum is one saving grace in a world of too much political brutality. Why should Americans want to undermine the asylum concept?" Indeed. This is what has always distinguished the United States in our 200 years of constitutional history200 years as a Nation protecting democracy and individual freedoms and rights more than any other country In existence. No wonder people seek asylum in the United States. No wonder people facing religious persecution. or political persecution. or physical persecution. look to the United States. knowing that we are the symbol of freedom. But that symbol would be tarnished if we were to close our doors. Mr. President. in Mr. Lewis column. he wrote: "The Senate will in fact have another chance to consider the issue when it takes up the immigration bill." I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Mr. Lewis column be printed in the RECORD.