A Concurrent Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to enact the "Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act."

Whereas, The "Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act," sponsored by New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. would give Christian Indonesian citizens, who are fleeing religious persecution, the opportunity to reopen their claims for asylum in the United States that were denied solely for missing the one year filing deadline; and

Whereas, In the five years between January 1, 1997 and November 30, 2002, many Indonesian Christians fled religious persecution in Indonesia, where extreme violence and destruction of churches drove them from their homes; and

Whereas, These Indonesian Christians came to the United States seeking relief from this violence and persecution in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population and a history of political and economic upheavals; and

Whereas, Many of these Indonesian refugees settled in New Jersey, where they worked, paid taxes and raised families, but were unable to comply with the one year filing deadline for asylum; and

Whereas, In 2003, a United States government program was implemented in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001 that required all adult males from 15 predominantly Muslim countries, including Indonesia, to register with United States authorities; and

Whereas, Many of the Indonesian citizens registered in good faith and began the process of applying for permanent status, with most applying for asylum based on religious persecution in Indonesia; and

Whereas, The majority of the applications were denied solely on the basis that they missed the one-year filing deadline and in 2006, Immigration and Customs Enforcement began deporting the Indonesian citizens, including many that were residing in central New Jersey; and

Whereas, A large number of these Indonesian families who reside in New Jersey and are members of the Reformed Church of Highland Park and other associated Christian congregations have received deportation warning letters; and

Whereas, The Indonesian citizens now face the prospect of leaving the homes they have lived in for over a decade and leaving their children, many of whom are citizens of the United States, in addition to being forced to return to Indonesia, where violence and negative treatment remain a threat and where their safety will likely be at risk; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The Legislature of this State respectfully urges the Congress of the United States to enact the "Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act."

2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the United States Congress and every member of the United States Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution respectfully urges the United States Congress to enact the "Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act" which would give Indonesian citizens, who are fleeing religious persecution, the opportunity to reopen their claims for asylum in the United States that were denied solely for missing the one year filing deadline. During the timeframe of January 1, 1997 to November 30, 2002, many Indonesian Christians fled religious persecution in Indonesia, where there was extreme violence and destruction of churches. These individuals came to the United States and many settled in New Jersey, where they worked, paid taxes and raised families, but were not able to meet the one year filing deadline for asylum.

In 2003, a United States government program was implemented in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001 that required all adult males from 15 predominantly Muslim countries, including Indonesia, to register with the United States authorities. Many of the Indonesian citizens registered in good faith and began the process of applying for permanent status based upon religious persecution in Indonesia.

The majority of their applications were denied solely on the basis that they missed the one year filing deadline. In 2006, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement began deporting the Indonesian citizens, including many that were residing in central New Jersey.

A large number of the Indonesian citizens who reside in New Jersey and are members of the Reformed Church of Highland Park and other associated Christian congregations have received deportation warning letters. The Indonesian citizens now face the prospect of being forced to leave their home and children. In addition, they will have to return to Indonesia, where violence and negative treatment remain a threat and where their safety will be at risk.