Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Various bills to aid Vietnam refugees moving through Congress with remarkable speed. Senator passes stopgap measure allowing President Ford to use $147 million previously appropriated as military aid. In House, subcmte works on specific refugee legislature
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(DC) Subcommittee cuts administration's request for $507 million in refugee aid to $405 million. Meanwhile, 17-member black caucus of House accuses government of ignoring its commitments to all of American's needy. Chairperson John Conyers says Ford's acceptance of Vietnam refugees arrogant move. [Representative Yvonne BURKE - doesn't think preferred treatment should be given to Vietnam refugees when there's great need throughout cntry.] Sort of sentiment seems to run contrary to Senator's "good Samaritanism" vote; Senator William Scott alone votes against bill welcoming refugees; reasons given.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(Studio) Senator James Abourezk trying to set limits on aid to refugees; reasons given.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Camp Pendleton, California) Of tens of thousands of Vietnam refugees arriving in US, immigration officials concede some not welcome; these include corrupt officials, thieves, bargirls, drug dealers, etc. [Immigration service, Joseph SURECK - admit s it was nearly impossible to check out evacuees in great haste of Saigon evacuation.] To weed out undesirables, immigration officials become more and more strict; inclds. photographs, fingerprinting; refugees won't be allowed to leave camps till security checks complete. Unknown what United States will do with undesirable immigrants.
REPORTER: Terry Drinkwater