Refugees
Dateline: 07/03/98
Hopefully, somewhere in America tomorrow, somebody who's not running for office, not even making a speech, will simply decide to start talking about how great it is to be free. Of course, nobody will have to. But in many countries tomorrow, people will be forced to do things they don't want to do. Some of them, like forced abortions, sterilizations, and bodily mutilations will be horrible.
Naturally, thousands of people flee from countries where human rights are just a dream, and when they do, we call them "Refugees."
According to the US Department of State, a refugee is, "...a person who is outside his/her country and is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of a well-founded fear that she/he will be persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group." (complete definition)
In addition, the US Refugee Act of 1980 allows the President of the United States to define certain persons still living in certain countries as refugees. Persons from these countries (currently Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, and Cuba), are admitted into the US as refugees under the "Orderly Departure Program."
The State Department puts the current worldwide refugee population at about 14 million people with untold millions more still living in their countries, but displaced from their homes by famine, war, or civil violence.
Since World War II, more refugees have immigrated to the United States than any other country. Over 1.7 million have arrived since 1980. (See related State Department Fact Sheet)
How Refugees Get to America
The refugee determination and admission process works like this:
- The President, after consulting with Congress, determines the number of refugees to be admitted into the US for the next year.
- Each potential refugee is interviewed by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service to determine their eligibility for refugee status.
- Eligible refugees and their immediate family are given medical exams and sponsored for resettlement in the US.
- After one year in the US, the refugee can apply for "lawful permanent resident" status.
- After five years in the US, the refugee can apply for citizenship.
The Department of Health and Human Services oversees refugee training, employment, medical and other benefit programs designed to limit the refugee's need for public assistance.
Where They Come From
Currently, refugees come to the US from the former Soviet Union, Vietnam,
Bosnia, Cuba, Somalia, Rawanda, Iran, Iraq and other countries.
On June 25, 1998, President Clinton sent the Secretary of State a memorandum recommending that 78,000 refugees be admitted into the US during Fiscal Year 1999 as follows:
12,000 from Africa
9,000 from East Asia (including Amerasians)
3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean
4,000 from the Near East and South Asia
48,000 from Europe
2,000 from non-specified countries (unallocated reserve)
Here is the complete text of the President's memorandum as released to the
press:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Xian, People's Republic of China)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 26, 1998
June 25, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SUBJECT: FY 1999 Refugee Admissions Consultations
In accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA), you are authorized to consult with the appropriate committees of
the Congress concerning refugee admissions as follows:
1. The authorization of 78,000 refugee admissions during FY 1999, which
would be allocated by specific region as follows: 12,000 for Africa;
9,000 for East Asia (including Amerasians); 3,000 for Latin America and
the Caribbean; 4,000 for the Near East and South Asia; 48,000 for
Europe; and 2,000 for the Unallocated Reserve. The recommended level
of funded admissions is equal to the level assumed in the FY 1999
budget request.
2. The authorization of an additional 10,000 refugee admission numbers
to be made available for the adjustment to permanent resident status of
persons who have been granted asylum in the United States.
3. The designation, pursuant to section 101(a)(42)(B) of the INA, of
persons in Cuba, Vietnam, and the former Soviet Union, who if they
otherwise qualify for admission as refugees, may be considered refugees
under the INA even though they are still within their country of
nationality or habitual residence.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
# # #
cc: Attorney General
Secretary of Health and Human Services
The President was visiting the People's Republic of China when he issued the above press release dealing with refugee admission. Could he have been making a silent statement on human rights?
Some Americans are strongly opposed to allowing foreign refugees into the United States. Other Americans, while supporting refugee admissions form a humanitarian standpoint, are opposed to spending public funds to support the refugees. Yet other Americans highly value the diversity and enrichment of our society provided by immigrants throughout our history and fully support the current policies of refugee admissions. No matter what these Americans believe, it is their right to do so. And that fact above all, is the reason very few Americans will ever have to call themselves "refugees."
Thanks for reading and have a great Independence Day!
Research
Links
8 CFR
Part 207 - Admission of Refugees
Definition of Refugee - Title 1 - Immigration and Nationality Act
Fact Sheet: U.S. Refugee Assistance. From State Department
Immigration and Nationality Act
Refugees - Internet Resources from Mining Co.
Who is a Refugee? From the State Department
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