[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E136-E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INDONESIAN FAMILY REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I am 
introducing legislation with my colleagues, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., 
Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Madeleine Bordallo, Rep. 
Rush Holt, 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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