Alan Simpson: “the sponsors' modification to this amendment greatly improves it, in my view. The original amendment would have modified…”

“the sponsors' modification to this amendment greatly improves it, in my view. The original amendment would have modified the Refugee Act to provide special treatment to a particular group. For all the reasons I expressed this morning as we debated the Lautenberg amendment, I strongly oppose changing the definition of ``refugee'' as it is stated in the Refugee Act of 1980. That is the U.N. definition. It is the international definition that most refugee receiving companies use. I don't believe it should be tampered with solely in order to provide special benefits for particular groups. This modification does not do that. Rather, it forbids the deportation or exclusion of persons who can demonstrate that they will be severely punished for refusal to comply with China's population control policies. This modification also will provide for the sunset of these special provisions in 3 years and it limits the number who may receive the benefit to 2,000 per year. I continue to oppose ``special'' treatment for ``special'' groups, even when it does not modify the refugee definition. The whole purpose and ideal of the Refugee Act of 1980 was to get us away from providing special treatment to special groups. Our refugee policy should be evenhanded. It should provide equal protection to those who qualify. As I said, this modification is a substantial improvement and I thank the sponsors for the changes.”