Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-31

The eyes of the free worlc
have been fixed on Hungary ovel
the past 2l2 moIsths. Thousands
OF men. women and children
have fled their homes to escape
Communist oppression. They
seek asylum in countries that are
free. Their opposition to Com
munist tyranny is evidence of q
growing resistance throughout
the world. Our position of world
leadership demands that, in
partnership with the other ma
tons of the free world, we be in
a position to grant that asylum
Moreover, in the Az years
that have elapsed since the
enactment of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, the prac-
tical application of that law has
demonstrated certain provisions
which operate inequitably and
others which are outmoded in
the world of today.
Prompt action by the Congress
Is needed looking toward the
revision and improvement OF
that law.
Emergency Legislation
Last October the people of
Hungary. spontaneously and
against tremendous odds, rose in
revolt against Communist domi-
nation. When it became appar-
ent that they would be faced
with ruthless deportations or
extinction. a mass exodus into
Austria began. Fleeing for their
lives. tens CT thousands crossed
the border into Austria seeking
asylum. Austria. despite its own
substantial economic problems
unselfishly and without hesita-
ton received these destitute
refugees. More than 20 nations
have expressed their willingness
to accept large numbers of them
On November 8, directed that
extraordinary measures be taken
to expedite the processing OF
5000 Hungarian visa applica-
tons under the provisions of the
Refugee Relief Act. On Novem-
Der 10, the first of this group
departed from Vienna for the
United States. BY November 20,
1t had become clear that the
flight of Hungarian men, women
and children to gain freedom was
assuming major proportions.
On December /, I directed
that above and beyond the avail
able visas under the Refugee Re-
lief Act-approximately $500 in
al-ernergency admission should
be granted to $4,000 additional
Hungarians through the exercise
by the Attorney General of his
discretionary authority under
Section 212(d) 90 of the Immi-
grafton and Nationality Act, and
that when these numbers had
been exhausted, the situation be
re-examined.
On December II, I requested
the Vice President to go to Aus
tria SO that he might inspect,
firsthand, the tragic situation
which faced the refugees. l also
appointed Presidents Commit
tee for Hungarian Refugee Re-
lief to assure full coordination
OF the work of the voluntary
agencies with each other and
with the various Government
agencies involved.
On January /. 1857, following
his return TO the United States,
the Vice President made a per-
sonal inspection Of our reception
center at Camp Kilmer and then
reported to me his findings and
recommendations. He reported
that the people who had fed
from Hungary were largely those
who had been in the forefront
OF the fight for freedom. He
concluded that "the countries
which accept these refugees will
find that. rather than having
assumed a liability. they have
acquired valuable national
asset"
Many Wish to Remain
Most of the refugees who have
come to the United States have
been admitted only temporarily
on an emergency basis. Some
may ultimately decide that they
should settle abroad. But many
will wish to remain IN the United
States permanently. Their ad-
mission to the United States as
PAROLES, however, does not pei.
init permanent residence or the
acquisition Of citizenship. ! be.
iieve they should be given tina,