A bill to legalize the establishment of a temporary haven for refugees in the United States and its possessions was introduced in the House yesterday by Emanuel Celler, New York Democrat.
Rep. Celler voiced the opinion that legislative action was the only means of enabling the Government to permit refugee groups to stop in this country pending arrangements for settlement elsewhere and of holding some hope of haven for those dispossessed from their native lands with little or no financial resources.
All efforts to arrange for havens by direct Federal action have failed, he said, “not because of lack of desire, but of the necessary legislative authority.”
In view of the continuation of the congressional session and the emergency nature of the situation, Celler said he would press for immediate action on the measure and added that he was “extremely hopeful” of getting a vote before the close of the present Congress.
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