[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE INDONESIAN FAMILY REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation with my 
colleagues, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Madeleine 
Bordallo, Rep. Mike Honda, and Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, which would 
simply allow Christian Indonesian citizens fleeing persecution, many of 
whom arrived during a five-year timeframe (January 1, 1997-November 30, 
2002) and were denied asylum solely for missing the one-year filing 
deadline, the opportunity to reopen their claims during the two-year 
period following enactment.
  Beginning in 1997, many Indonesian Christians fled religious 
persecution in Indonesia, where extreme violence and destruction of 
churches drove them from their homes. These individuals came to this 
country, seeking relief from extreme violence and persecution for their 
religious beliefs, but were unable to make the one-year filing 
deadline. They deserve the opportunity to have their claims heard.
  The United States has long sought to protect refugees fleeing 
persecution and provide a process to fairly consider their claims. This 
bill does not, in itself, grant asylum, but merely removes a procedural 
barrier to their claims being considered. These individuals seeking 
asylum deserve a second chance to avoid the persecution they have fled 
and remain united with their families.

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