Embedded Files
Those from South Vietnam desperate for safety packed whatever they could carry and swiftly fled the country. When they arrived at refugee camps in places like the Philippines and Indonesia, they were only steps away from reaching their permanent settlements. Countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States occupied the top of their lists, but the attitudes toward refugees in these nations compromised their journeys west (Roos).
“I AM PRIMARILY VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD A LONG TRADITION OF OPENING ITS DOORS TO IMMIGRANTS OF ALL COUNTRIES."
“I AM PRIMARILY VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD A LONG TRADITION OF OPENING ITS DOORS TO IMMIGRANTS OF ALL COUNTRIES."
PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD ON EXCLUSIONARY ATTITUDES TOWARD SOUTHEAST ASIAN REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1975
(Binder)
THE INDOCHINA MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE ACT
THE INDOCHINA MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE ACT
The Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act proposed providing transport and financial support to refugees fleeing conflict in Southeast Asia, specifically those from Cambodia and Vietnam. The Act would amend the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 passed for immigrants fleeing Cold War communist countries. Lawmakers proposed including "aliens who (A) because of persecution or fear of persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion, fled from Cambodia or Vietnam; (B) cannot return there because of fear of persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion; and (C) are in urgent need of assistance for the essentials of life" (United States, Congress).
The Indochina Migration and Refugee Act was yet another point of contention for Americans after years of controversy about the Vietnam War.
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
“We're a country built by immigrants from all areas of the world.”
PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD
United States must respect its tradition of supporting refugees during times of strife like it had with Cubans and Hungarians
Must make up for other nations like Australia admitting too few refugees
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations President George Mean argues that the nation can and should provide jobs for refugees in the name of the American Dream
(Binder)
OPPOSITION
OPPOSITION
“There is no political support for it in this country.”
SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD (D-WV)
Opposed the $507-million price tag attached to the refugee resettlement plan
Worried that “undesirables” like “barmaids, prostitutes and criminals” would enter the country without an adequate screening process
Believed the Act would accept too many refugees and exacerbate economic issues
(Binder)
The Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act was signed into law on May 23, 1975. It authorized approximately 130,000 refugees from Vietnam to enter the United States and created pathways for the future migration of Southeast Asian groups (United States, Congress).
WAVES OF ARRIVAL
WAVES OF ARRIVAL
After the passage of the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, the Vietnamese came to the United States in waves. American perceptions towards refugees differed according to the time of arrival.
FIRST WAVE (1975)
FIRST WAVE (1975)
The initial wave of refugees arrived as a part of the Indochina Migration and Refugee Act. Most were educated and English-speakers. The American public was happy to receive this first set of refugees, finding that their arrival absolved the guilt that came with the United States' sudden military withdrawal from Vietnam (Roos).
SECOND WAVE (1978)
SECOND WAVE (1978)
Three years later, the next wave of refugees arrived in the United States, most of whom were less wealthy and educated than the first batch. Dubbed “boat people” by the international community, Vietnamese refugees in this wave crossed the Pacific on ships where they faced hunger, assault, and disease. Many Vietnamese in this wave were haunted by the trauma of escape and struggled to assimilate into American culture. Additionally, an economic recession caused American support for refugees to wane (Roos).
“The majority of Americans didn’t want the Vietnamese here. The refugees were a stark reminder of a lost war and were seen as an economic burden.”
LONG BUI, PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT UC IRVINE
(Roos); Image from the Department of Defense
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