White House Agrees to Restore 5,000 Slots for Jewish Refugees
The number of refugees from the former Soviet Union allowed to
enter the United States has been cut, but not as drastically as
originally sought by the Clinton administration.  Out of 83,000
admissions authorized for refugees worldwide, 26,000 will be
allotted to refugees from the former Soviet Union — 4,000 fewer
than were authorized this past year.  The administration had
proposed to reduce the numbers by nearly a third for the fiscal
year that began Oct. 1, but last week agreed to add an
additional 5,000 slots.  Refugees from the former Soviet Union
include Jews and persecuted Christian minorities, both of whom
are allowed to immigrate to the United States under eased
criteria.  Jewish refugee advocates, who were greatly disturbed
by the administration’s original proposal, hailed the decision
to boost the numbers.  “It’s closer to the reality of the total
flow” of refugees from the former Soviet Union, said Martin
Wenick, executive vice preside