United Hias Asks Senate Committee for Extension of Refugee Program

Revision of the U. S. basic immigration law and extension of the Refugee Relief Act were urged today by the United Hias Service in a message addressed to the Senate committee which is currently conducting hearings here on “problems connected with emigration of refugees and escapees.”

Abner-Bregman, chairman of the United Hias executive committee, said in his message that the position of United Hias in regard to legislative changes of the Refugee Relief Act was contained in the joint proposals prepared by members of the American Council of Voluntary Agencies, and which was addressed to President Eisenhower last February 16. “With regard to the Refugee Relief Act itself, we do feel that the expectations under this Act have not been realized and that every effort should be made to give the eligible persons an opportunity to complete their applications and be admitted to the United States under this Act.”

A copy of the joint proposals filed by Mr. Bregman with the Senate committee today, asked for an extension of the Refugee Relief Act; a redefinition of the terms, “refugees,” “escapees” and “expellees”; extension of the RRA program beyond NATO countries; expediting security and other investigations; provisions for waiving the requirement of a certificate of re-admission; provision to include under this Act some escapees who fled Iron Curtain countries after December 31, 1956; increase of orphans age limit from 10 to 14 years and siblings to 16; consideration for “hard core” cases; cancellation of quotas mort-gated under the DP Act of 1948 and similar legislation.