[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GUARANTEE EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ALL REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, the nation of Ukraine is dealing with an 
alarming crisis, a war. I have been overwhelmed by the number of images 
and stories of families trying to escape the terrors and war crimes 
being unjustly committed against the people of this country. Since 
February 24, more than 870,000--now we understand more than 1 million--
Ukrainians have fled the country.
  However, within that exodus are disturbing reports of mistreatment of 
Black families, Africans, and Asians as they try to evacuate a deadly 
war zone. This is unacceptable.
  My office has been working with other members of the Congressional 
Black Caucus--Chairman  Greg Meeks of the Foreign Affairs Committee and 
Barbara Lee of the Appropriations Committee--to determine the veracity, 
the specifics, and the extent of the allegations.
  While we stand with Ukraine and encourage America's commitment to the 
Ukrainian Government, any engagement of the United States and American 
dollars appropriated to humanitarian efforts or lethal weapons must 
guarantee that all refugees, all fleeing, are treated equally. We will 
not move from that position.

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