Indochina Refugee Assistance Programs

The continuing and escalating flow of Indochinese refugees has given rise to questions concerning the commitment and involvement of the United States in resettlement requirements. The United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees seeks permanent solutions to the refugee crises and finances the temporary care of refugees. The Secretary of State should press for the establishment of additional temporary care holding camps to be administered by the United Nations and urge more aggressive field monitoring of refugee camps. Present plans are to admit 7,000 Indochinese refugees each month into the United States over the next few years. Concerning resettlement in the United States, it is recommended that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare require monitoring of the Indochinese Refugee Assistance Program grant funds and provide detailed program management guidelines. Current immigration laws should be revised to include: the redefinition of the term "refugee," increasing of refugee admissions to a level more in line with U.S. intentions to share in resettling the anticipated continuing flow of refugees, the inclusion of provisions for dealing with large groups of refugees that may result from unanticipated emergency situations, and the retention of parole authority by the Attorney General for individual situations. To aid in planning of fund appropriations, Congress should obtain data concerning: the numbers and anticipated rate of flow of refugees from countries of origin to first-asylum areas; the numbers and rate of flow of refugees to be resettled in the United States; estimated costs related to these elements; and the extent to which the United States Government is to provide funds.