Pacific Stars &
Stripes, Oct. 5, 1953
TOKYO, Oct. 5 (Pac. S&S)- Korean and Japanese
orphans will make up at least one-quarter of the immigration quota
allowing 4,000 parentless children under 10 to enter the U.S. in the
next three years according to a visiting congressman.
Rep. Patrick J. Hillings (R., Cal.), a member of
the joint committee on immigration and naturalization, said here yesterday
that while final quotas would not be out until November, he was sure
at least 1,000 orphans from the two countries would be included.
Hillings, on the last lap of a 'round-the-world
study of immigration problems, said the exact number admitted will
depend on the number of applications received from all parts of the
world.
Only Some Seek Entry
"Congress had the orphans of the East in mind
when they allowed for 4,000 young orphans to enter the U.S.,"
he said.
The quota is part of the refugee act of 1953 which
will allow 214,000 immigrants to enter the country within the next
three years.
The California congressman said in his visits at
refugee camps throughout the world he found a general desire to enter
the U.S. But in some cases, the homeless people want only to return
to their native land.
The refugee act was passed to give homes to persons
who fled from behind the iron curtain, suffered from natural calamities,
military operations or over-population among our allies.
Orphans Need Sponsors
Hillings said in his talks with Syngman Rhee, the
South Korean president assured him his government was very anxious
for the U.S. to provide homes for Korean war orphans.
Under provisions of the act, each orphan must have
a sponsor who will agree to support the child. However, Hillings is
hopeful some Korean and Japanese orphans may be sent to the States
and placed in private and church agencies for final adoption. State
department ruling on this is expected in November, along with other
qualifications needed to apply for entry into the U.S.
Hillings left here last night for Hawaii where
he plans to meet Vice President Richard Nixon, who is on his way to
the Orient as part of his world good-will tour. Hillings filled Nixon's
post in the House of Representatives when the latter was elected vice
president.
By PFC Howard Sayre
PSS-306
