    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 31, 1997]
    [Page 1036]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Refugee Admissions Consultations
    July 31, 1997

    Memorandum for the Secretary of State

    Subject: FY 1998 Refugee Admissions Consultations

        In accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality
    Act (INA), you are authorized to consult with the appropriate committees
    of the Congress concerning refugee admissions as follows:
        1. The authorization of 78,000 refugee admissions during FY 1998,
    which would be allocated by specific region as follows: 7,000 for
    Africa; 14,000 for East Asia (including Amerasians); 4,000 for Latin
    America and the Caribbean; 4,000 for the Near East; 46,000 for the
    former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; and 3,000 for the Unallocated
    Reserve. The recommended level of funded admissions is equal to the
    level assumed in the FY 1998 budget request.
        2. The authorization of an additional 10,000 refugee admission
    numbers to be made available for the adjustment to permanent resident
    status of persons who have been granted asylum in the United States.
        3. The designation, pursuant to section 101(a) 42(B) of the
    Immigration and Nationality Act, of persons in Cuba, Vietnam, and the
    former Soviet Union who, if they otherwise qualify for admission as
    refugees, may be considered refugees under the INA even though they are
    still within their country of nationality or habitual residence.

                                                          William J. Clinton