This provision is wellintentioned. however. it is problematic for a number of reasons. First. the State Department estimates that each of the 5.000 beneficiaries will bring an average of four family members with them who will not count against the cap. Therefore. the provision would result in. according to State Department estimates. upwards of 25.000 green cards being granted per year for 5 years. My math on that is 125.000. Mr. Speaker. Given that legal immigration now regularly exceeds 1 million persons a year. and the American people. by overwhelming margins. do not want to see further increases at least until we enforce the law and get operational control of the border. these numbers today are irresponsible. Second. the provision will produce a drain for proU.S. and prodemocracy Iraqis actually living in Iraq. This potential exodus may prove devastating to efforts to rebuild that country. Third. the provision grants refugee status to aliens who do not meet the longstanding statutory definition of a refugeea person who is persecuted or who has a wellfounded fear of persecution on account of race. religion. nationality. membership in a social group. or political opinion. Thats the definition that exists today that the State Department could act under. Mr.
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