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In FY 1990, there were two admissions ceilings for East Asia which when combined, totalled 51,800. It is anticipated that both the first asylum ceiling of 25,000 and the ODP ceiling of 26,800 will have been fully utilized by the end of FY 1990.

For FY 1991, in light of the unpredictability of first asylum needs, these ceilings will be combined into a single East Asia ceiling of 52,000. (It should be noted that until FY 1985, there was a single admissions ceiling for the East Asia region.) Within this combined ceiling, priority will continue to be given to meeting the U.S. first asylum commitment under the CPA to reduce the burden of Vietnamese refugees in the ASEAN nations and Hong Kong. In FY 1991, we estimate first asylum admissions could be up to 25,000.

Orderly Departure Program. The Orderly Departure Program (ODP) was established in 1979 under an agreement between the UNHCR and Vietnam to provide a safe, legal alternative to clandestine boat departures. An effective ODP is particularly critical at the present time when first asylum in Southeast Asia is under increasing pressure. In September 1987, following a suspension by the Vietnamese Government of more than a year and a half, interviews resumed for the U.S. ODP. Under new streamlined procedures, consular and INS immigration officers from the American Embassy in Bangkok travel to Saigon on a regular basis to conduct the interviews.

During FY 1990, we expect to admit about 26,800 refugees and Amerasians and some 16,000 parolees and immigrants (other than Amerasians) under the U.S. ODP. By September 30, several thousand more will either be in English language training at Bataan in the Philippines, or awaiting flights out of Vietnam.

The United States remains firmly committed to the release and resettlement of those who have been detained in reeducation centers in Vietnam because of their association with the United States or the former South Vietnamese Government. An agreement creating a program for U.S. resettlement of released detainees was successfully negotiated in July of 1989 and implemented in October. Over 8,000 former detainees are expected to be admitted to the United States by September 30. We now interview 2,000 per month.

Amerasian Program. The Amerasian program is an integral part of the ODP. The United States plans to provide resettlement opportunities for all Amerasians in Vietnam along with their close family members who wish to come here. Interviewing of Amerasians in Vietnam resumed in October 1987 as part of the ODP as a result of intense diplomatic efforts extending over more than 18 months. Amerasians are now

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processed for resettlement under a separate bilateral program with procedures similar to that of the regular ODP. Since interviews resumed, more than 30,000 persons Amerasians and accompanying family members have been interviewed and approved. Of these, some 15,000 will have been admitted to the United States in FY 1990. Those who departed Vietnam beginning in March 1988 are admitted to the United States under legislation passed in December 1987 which created a special class of Amerasian immigrant. The ODP in FY 1991 will continue to include approximately 15,000 Amerasian immigrants and accompanying family members, who are admitted as immigrants but included in the refugee admissions ceiling for consistency with the budgetary process.

At least 35,000 immigrants and parolees will also be processed through ODP for permanent resettlement in the United States.

Designated Nationalities. In FY 1991, Vietnamese and Lac are designated nationalities of particular concern to the United States. Consideration of these nationalities for refugee admission is authorized without referral of specific cases to Washington. Cambodians, Burmese, and Chinese cases are considered on a case-by-case basis, but only with specific authority from the Department of State and INS headquarters.

The number of Eastern Europeans seeking asylum in Western Europe continued to rise as liberalized travel policies were implemented by formerly restrictive countries of Eastern Europe. As democratic governments emerged in such places as Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia, asylum-seekers from elsewhere in the region sought asylum in Eastern European countries as well. Due to the slow pace of democratic reform and political uncertainty, Romanians and Bulgarians continue to leave their countries. In Albania, popular uprisings resulted in thousands seeking refuge in embassies in Tirana.

Resettlement in the Region. The countries of Western and Southern Europe traditionally have been generous in granting asylum to persons fleeing Communist oppression in Eastern Europe. The increasing democratization of Eastern European countries has led to a reduction in approval for asylum. Albanians, Romanians and Bulgarians, however, continue to be accepted. A large number of persons in Western European countries who arrived before major political changes took place in their home country will be influenced by economic and other factors in deciding whether to return home.

Third Country Resettlement. Between FY 1975 and FY 1989, approximately 100,000 refugees from Eastern Europe resettled in the United States. An additional 6,200 are expected to be admitted during FY 1990. Due to the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe, the United States discontinued registration of refugee applicants from Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia during the course of FY 1990. Applications from nationals of Bulgaria and Romania continue to be accepted in priorities one through five. Albania remains the only country in the region whose nationals may register for the U.S. Refugee Program in all six priorities.

U. S. Admissions

Proposed Ceiling.

The proposed refugee admissions ceiling for Eastern Europe is 5,000.

With the rapid changes in Eastern Europe during the course of FY 1990, the scope of the program in FY 1991 will be narrower than in previous years. The FY 1991 admissions ceiling of 5,000 represents a reduction of approximately 20 percent from the 6,200 Eastern European admissions which are expected before September 30, 1990. In general, only nationals of those countries where democratic reform has progressed relatively slowly (Romania and Bulgaria) or is just beginning (Albania) may apply for the U.S. refugee admissions program as we enter the fiscal year. Depending on developments in the

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region, however, further adjustments in admissions program parameters for this region may be necessary during the course of the year.

Visas 93 recipients from Poland and Romania (i.e., spouses and children of previously admitted refugees) are expected to utilize approximately 30 percent of the available numbers. The balance of admissions will include the final group of Romanian Third Country Processing (TCP) cases as well as Romanians, Bulgarians and Albanians in first asylum countries. In addition, depending on the results of an INS review of conditions affecting certain individuals inside Romania, a one-time authorization of in-country processing for this group may be recommended.

An admissions ceiling of 5,000 will allow the final processing and admission of Romanians registered under the Third Country Processing (TCP) program and the processing of the claims of those Eastern Europeans already registered for the U.S. Refugee Program in countries of first asylum. It is not known at present how many of these will be admissible as refugees, or how many additional registrations will occur during the coming year.

Designated Nationalities. For FY 1991, Albanians, Bulgarians and Romanians are the designated nationalities in the region. As we enter the fiscal year, applications are being accepted from Romanians and Bulgarians in priorities one through five and from Albanians in all six priorities.

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4. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Repression and economic stagnation in Cuba continue to cause Cubans to leave their country. Former political prisoners, in many cases, continue to suffer persecution and discrimination after release from prison. Under a U.S.-Cuban agreement, the United States continues to process former political prisoners and families. Up to 2,300 Cuban admissions are expected in FY 1990. The INS Regional Office in Mexico City interviews refugee applicants in Havana, and in third countries during circuit rides.

While precise data is lacking, the countries of the Central American region believe there are approximately two million refugees, repatriates and internally and externally displaced persons in an area with a total population of 26 million people. UNHCR programs in Latin America are providing protection and assistance to some 120,000 refugees, mainly in Central America. The great majority are Nicaraguans who have sought refuge in neighboring countries and Guatemalans who have sought safe haven in Mexico. Less than 3,000 Salvadoran registered refugees now remain in Honduras. This is down from a total of some 20,000 in the mid 1980s.

In Haiti conditions continue to be unsettled. Although the economy is a critical element in the lives of most Haitians, there are individuals who may have "a well-founded fear of persecution on account of membership in a particular social group, or political opinion" who seek protection from hostile elements in the society.

Voluntary Repatriation. According to UNHCR data, in FY 1989 the number of registered refugees in the region declined from 136,000 to about 122,000, as approximately 12,000 Salvadorans repatriated from Honduras, 2,500 Nicaraguans repatriated from Honduras and Costa Rica, and some 1,000 Guatemalans of the 42,000 in Mexico returned home.

Over the past year, the Central American presidents have reached agreements which are resulting in the voluntary repatriation of the Nicaraguan resistance as well as refugees. Repatriation and resettlement of these groups, which could total upwards of 75,000 people, began in June 1990 under the auspices of the U.N. and the Organization of American States (OAS). If these repatriations are brought to a successful conclusion, the Guatemalans in Mexico will be the only large registered refugee population remaining in the region.