Democratic and Republican. Here is the background. Current law. as a result of overbroad amendments in the PATRIOT Act and Real ID Act. has been used to bar refugees and asylum seekers who were either members of groups who fought on the side of the United States. such as the Hmong. the Montagnards. and the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. or who were the victims of terrorist groups and forced to provide "material support." such as food. shelter. or other services. Administration officials have acknowledged that they have been inexcusably slow to deal with this problem. Thousands of refugees and hundreds of asylum seekers have been in limbo as a result. We now face the additional problem of Iraqi refugees. 7.000 of whom the President says should be admitted to the United States. being barred from admission unless we fix the law. After considerable prodding. the administration has moved in the right direction. Two weeks ago. it took another welcome step. although we have not yet seen the results of this reported change of policy. The number of refugees admitted to the United States would not be increased or decreased by this provision. That is determined by the numerical limit set by the President each year and by the amount we appropriate for refugee admissions. Numerous editorials have described the horrific consequences for refugees who have been victimized by current law. Just the titles of these editorials tell the story: "Shutting Out Terrorisms Victims." "Doctors Without Refuge." "Antiterror laws keeping out old Vietnam allies." "Punishing the Persecuted." "U.S. denies refuge to friends. the abused." "The Refugee Mess." "Excluding Friends." and finally. "Fix This Law." I will ask that just three of these editorials be printed in the RECORD at the close of my remarks. This provision is a compromise that would get our law back in sync with our values. but now the Senator from Arizona. Mr.
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Refugee asylum seekers refugee refugees