Refugees and the Shifting Sands of U.S. Immigration Policy

This chapter explores the tumultuous events surrounding the fall of Saigon and the subsequent refugee crisis from Vietnam and Cuba. It highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration policy, particularly the establishment of the 1980 Refugee Act, and delves into the contrasting treatment of Cuban and Haitian refugees during the political climate of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The narrative discusses public sentiment, legislative struggles, and the urgent need for support systems for incoming refugees amidst a backdrop of chaos and humanitarian crises.