7
-
7. Public and private programs should be undertaken to encourage family members in the United States to become United States citizens and to file immigration petitions for their relatives.
Administration Actions:
o An active outreach program to encourage refugees in the U.S. to pursue their citizenship and file immigrant petitions for their relatives is planned.
o State and INS officers have participated in seven regional conferences and other meetings in which written and oral presentations were made by representatives of both organizations explaining the immigration system and offering information and training.
8. The federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and private voluntary organizations involved in Indochinese resettlement, should undertake a separate study of benefits for Indochinese refugees and immigrants.
Administration Actions:
Office of o The Department of Health and Human Services Refugee Resettlement recently awarded a contract for a study of program options for domestic refugee resettlement. The study will seek inputs from various state and local governments as well as voluntary agencies. One of the issues the study will address is eligibility criteria for various refugee-specific benefits programs.
C.
HOW TO MAKE THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAM A MORE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CLANDESTINE FLIGHT, INCLUDING WAYS TO GAIN THE RELEASE OF THE RE-EDUCATION CAMP PRISONERS.
UPDATE: On January 1, 1986, the Vietnamese unilaterally suspended all refugee interviews. In addition, exit permits are only rarely being issued for departure to the U.S. U.S. participated in technical talks with the Vietnamese, under
Meanwhile, ODP UNHCR auspices, in Hanoi in late August. departures for both the United States and other countries continue, but at a reduced rate. Departures in FY 1986 through June totalled 8,352, compared with 10,306 through June in FY 1985.
With regard to Vietnamese fleeing their country clandestinely by boat, the rates of death, abduction, and piracy attacks have fallen sharply during the past year at the same time as arrests and successful prosecutions of those engaged in piracy have risen. New approaches emphasizing enhanced law enforcement capabilities have been instituted. The RTG/UNHCR program has been renewed for another year.