NSDD 93 Refugee Policy and Processing Refugees from Indochina

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON UNCLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION May 13, 1983 DIRECTIVE NUMBER 93 REFUGEE POLICY AND PROCESSING REFUGEES FROM INDOCHINA I have reviewed the reports and recommendations on processing refugees in Indochina from the Departments of Justice and State and the Coordinator for Refugee Affairs, as forwarded by the latter's memorandum of April 21. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Department of State have taken significant steps over the past several months to improve. the processing of these refugees. At the same time, it is clear that further steps are necessary to ensure proper and effective processing consistent with United States law and policy objectives, including steps to improve central guidance. Accordingly, drawing on all necessary information including the views of the Secretary of State and the Coordinator for Refugee Affairs and after consulting with both, the Attorney General should determine whether there are categories of persons who, under the Refugee Act of 1980, share common characteristics that identify them as targets of persecution in a particular country. This review should focus initially on the following categories for Indochinese refugees: those who fled Cambodia because of occurrences during the Pol Pot regime, former members of the military, those with close relatives in the United States, and persons who refuse to work with the new regime in Cambodia. Other categories should also be reviewed, such as unaccompanied minors and those deserting from or evading military service with the forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Applicants for refugee status who fall into any such categories of fact as may be determined by the Attorney General and who allege persecution will not have to present independent evidence regarding persecution. The establishment of such categories will not prejudice applications by those that may not fall within any category that is determined and applied through the above process. Guidance on the initial and possibly other categories should be provided to INS officers as early as possible and no later than June 10, 1983. Relevant information from the concerned agencies should be provided to the Department of Justice by May 20. Declassified/Released on 10/23/98 COPY litte 12 COPIES, under provisions of E.O. 12958 by L. Salvetti, National Security Council F98-515