Statement of Ambassador H. Eugene Douglas, September 30, 1982

Douglas, the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Reagan Administration's proposed Immigration Emergency Act. He emphasized the need for stronger immigration controls to restore public confidence, citing past mismanagement, such as the Mariel boatlift, which strained resources and undermined goodwill toward immigration and refugee policies. Douglas advocated for a three-part approach, including support for the Simpson-Mazzoli immigration bill, improved refugee resettlement planning, and the Immigration Emergency Act to address mass migration crises.