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Chinese Refugees in the United States By Pat Mc Ewen 1995 In June of 1993, three hundred Chinese people fleeing the one-child policy and its forced abortion and forced sterilization escaped from China by boat and landed in the New York Harbor. President Clinton, unlike previous administrations, denied them asylum and immediately imprisoned them in various U.S. prisons. During their three years of imprisonment, few have received asylum through their attempts in U.S. courts. Many have given up and returned to China. Punishments of severe beatings, imprisonments, and heavy fines equivalent of 20 to 30 years salary have been reported following their return. The process to obtain legislation in the U.S. qualifying forced abortion and forced sterilization as grounds for asylum was attempted during this three year plight of these most desperate people. Four of the refugees gave their testimonies before the U.S. House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights for the benefit of this legislation. This occurred after many failed arrangements with the U.S. government to allow them to speak. Stories of a six-month old baby in the womb forcibly removed, hiding in caves to escape the family planning workers pursuing them for forced sterilization, retrieving an abandoned baby girl on the roadside while walking home from a clinic after receiving medical attention for an infection from a forced abortion, and many other details of struggle and hardship were heard and recorded relating to these atrocities. The legislation passed in both Houses of the Congress, was sent to the White House for the President's signature, but was vetoed by President Clinton. Most of the women on the boat were initially imprisoned in one of the worst prison's in America known for abuse of its prison population. When the process of their repatriation to China began, they were taken to the Bakersfield prison in California. Through the efforts of Life Coalition International, nine of the women have received asylum in Ecuador and recently, additional nations have come forward to offer third country asylum.
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New Law May Grant Asylum to Chinese Refugees Pat McEwen 1996 Victims of China's coercive population control program may finally be granted asylum in the United States soon, due to legislation which was just passed by Congress and signed into law. Anyone who is interested in providing assistance or housing for the Chinese refugees after they are released from jail may contact Tim Palmquist at (805) 837-2229. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the leading advocate of freedom for the Chinese refugees, added language to HR3610 (The Department of Defense Appropriations Act) which grants asylum to victims of forced abortion and forced sterilization. HR3610 was then passed by the House and the Senate, and signed by the President. Clinton Signs Bill on Forced Abortion Rights of Chinese refugees finally recognized Melbourne, Florida (10/2/96) - Forced abortion and forced sterilization is persecution. This has finally bee recognized as the law of the land! President Clinton, after threatening to veto a measure that would define forced abortion and forced sterilization as persecution, finally signed into law HR 3610 (part of Department of Defense Appropriation Measure for 1997). HR 3610 contains Rep. Chris Smith ís wording on forced abortion and now gives Chinese refugees fleeing the coercive population control measures of China a legal standing through which they can go through our immigration courts with the same rights as other refugees. Life Coalition International wishes to congratulate Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on the passage of this bill. Rep. Smith worked tirelessly to free the Chinese refugees who were so shamelessly treated by our government. Chinese Refugees Not Released After Law Signed! Some Again Face Return to China Melbourne Florida (10/15/96) - It is the Law of the Land! Forced abortion and forced sterilization is persecution and those who have a creditable fear of such are refugees- BUT - the law is not retroactive! The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is deciding how to react to the new law. The INS and a Group of lawyers representing the refugees met before Judge Rambo in Philadelphia on Thursday 10/10/96. The INS proposal was to allow those refugees (about half) who have already filed appeal briefs to return to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) courts and reopen their cases. They offer no parole while this process takes place. They would still be imprisoned, probably another six months to a year. The INS offers no recourse to those who do not have an appeal on file!!!!! This is unacceptable to us or the lawyers involved. Judge Rambo has given the two sides 15 days to iron out their differences. It is now the law of the land! There are no more excuses! Three years in jail for wanting to have a child is inexcusable. The INS is under the direct control of Janet Reno. Janet Reno answers directly to President Clinton. The buck stops with President Clinton! He holds the power to release or continue to persecute these people! LCI asks Christians all across the nation to call the White House and ask for the release of these people! President Clinton, it is the law! You have the power to do this! Even one more day for an innocent refugee to be persecuted in prisons of the Land of The Free is reprehensible. Free them! - Pat Mc Ewen, Ministry Coordinator, Life Coalition International |
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At the time of this writing, President Clinton threatened trade sanctions with China over problems with copyrighting, but within days reported his intent to renew Most-Favored-Nation trade status with China for the "best interest of America." Three of the nine women in the Bakersfield Prison were deported back to China as President Clinton made these decisions. Harry Wu recently visited the York County Prison in York, Pennsylvania where one-hundred and forty of the men were held. They did not meet with Harry Wu for fear of even heavier penalties when they return to China. Of the fifty-nine men remaining in the York Prison over half of them will return to China soon. An International agreement with the United States and nations surrounding China is occurring to prevent any ships from leaving China with those trying to escape. |
