Number: RL31269
Title: Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy
Authors: Andorra Bruno, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Overseas processing of refugees is conducted through a system of three priorities for admission. Priority 1 comprises cases involving persons facing compelling security concerns. Priority 2 comprises cases involving persons from specific groups of special humanitarian concern to the United States (e.g., Iranian religious minorities). Priority 3 comprises family reunification cases involving close relatives of persons admitted as refugees or granted asylum. Special legislative provisions facilitate relief for certain refugee groups. The "Lautenberg Amendment" allows certain former Soviet and Indochinese nationals to qualify for refugee status based on their membership in a protected category with a credible fear of persecution. They do not have to establish persecution on an individual basis as do other refugees. P.L. 108-199 amended the Lautenberg Amendment to add the "Specter Amendment," which requires the designation of categories of Iranian religious minorities whose cases are to be adjudicated under the Lautenberg Amendment's reduced evidentiary standard. P.L. 110-161 extends the Lautenberg Amendment, as amended by the Specter Amendment, through FY2008. Another provision, referred to as the "McCain Amendment" or the "McCain-Davis Amendment," makes certain adult children of Vietnamese re-education camp survivors eligible for U.S. refugee resettlement. P.L. 110-161 extends this provision through FY2009.
Pages: 12
Date: January 24, 2008