wfn.org | Clinton commended for release of Golden Venture immigrants

[Church of the Brethren News Services]

Date:      February 26, 1997
Contact:  Paula Wilding
V:  847/742-5100   F:  847/742-6103
E-MAIL:   CoBNews@AOL.Com

The Church of the Brethren commends Clinton’s decision 
to release the 53 remaining “Golden Venture” detainees

(Elgin, Ill.) February 26, 1997—The Church of the Brethren today commended
President Clinton for his executive order calling for the release of 53
Chinese immigrants who have been imprisoned in several jails throughout the
United States since June 1993. 

These prisoners—some of the 270 men, women and children who were aboard the
“Golden Venture,” an illegal immigrant transport that ran aground off of
Queens, New York—arrived on U.S. soil nearly four years ago in an attempt to
escape political and social persecution.

“You are to be commended for your executive order (on Feb. 14) to release the
53 remaining detainees from the smuggling freighter known as the Golden
Venture,” wrote Karen Miller, Church of the Brethren interim general
secretary. “Your order to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to
release these Chinese Nationals is indeed welcome and long overdue.”

However, reports coming earlier this week out of York, Pa., site of a prison
where 40 of the refugees are being held, indicate that the Immigration and
Naturalization Service may not release the immigrants by March 1, which
Clinton vowed, or may release the detainees and then deport them back to
China.

In her letter, Miller asked Clinton to ensure that his directive is enforced
by the INS. And not only must these people be released, she said, “they must
have their day in court.”

“God calls us all to extend Christian compassion to those in need,” Miller
concluded. “Let us continue to pray for the displaced people of the world who
simply seek justice and equality for themselves and their families.”

Although slightly fewer than one-sixth of the original Golden Venture
passengers remain behind bars—with the others either having been released and
granted visas or deported back to China where they now are serving in hard
labor constructing an airport—the remaining immigrants should have been
released months ago based on the passage in October of federal legislation
that provides the granting of political asylum to people who are forced with
or threatened by abortions or sterilization. These immigrants also could
qualify for visas if they could show they were persecuted for religious or
political beliefs, or if they are artists, as are many of these detainees.

A few months after the original group of 110 Golden Venture refugees arrived
in York, a rally was held on the prisoners’ behalf in hope that the prayers
and attention given to the immigrants would expedite their freedom, in
response to a story in a local paper, The People of the Golden Vision was
formed that day, an organization that has met for a prayer vigil each Sunday
night for the past 183 weeks across the street from the prison, regardless of
the weather. This group, seeking to answer God’s call to love our neighbors,
have stated they are willing to take full responsibility for these resettled
refugees.

“The Church of the Brethren has a history with this issue,” Miller wrote.
“Brethren were instrumental in founding People of the Golden Vision, and they
seek to act on behalf of justice for refugees in many areas of the world.
Several Church of the Brethren congregations, through their annual Disaster
Relief Auction, have already donated over $25,000 toward resettlement of the
refugees. A house has been purchased and is currently being remodeled to
accommodate the newly released individuals. Until the completion of this
‘International House,’ many church members have opened their homes to those
in need; and they will continue to support and hold in love those seeking
asylum. Ray and Harriet Miller of the Codorus Church of the Brethren in York,
Pa., have been active in the Golden Vision movement since its inception and
are coordinating the resettlement process.”

The Church of the Brethren, a 144,000-member denomination consisting of 23
districts spanning most of the contiguous United States, is headquartered in
Elgin, Ill. It was formed in 1708 when the Brethren movement began in central
Germany. It is a historic peace church, conscientiously opposed to all war
and intentional about working with peacemaking and reconciliation ministries.

— 30 —

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 

Nevin Dulabaum, 
Director of News Services
Church of the Brethren