§7841 United States Policy Toward Refugees and Defectors

Summary

The Secretary of State must, within 120 days after October 18, 2004, give a report to the appropriate congressional committees and to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The Secretary must work with other federal department and agency heads. The report must describe the situation of North Korean refugees and explain U.S. policy for North Korean nationals outside North Korea. The report must include assessments of conditions for North Korean refugees and migrants in hiding (especially in China) and if returned; whether North Koreans in China can reach UNHCR staff and whether China is meeting its duties under the 1951 Convention (especially Articles 31, 32, and 33); whether North Koreans have clear access to U.S. refugee and asylum processing and U.S. policy for those who seek protection at U.S. embassies or consulates and resettlement; the number admitted as refugees or asylees in each of the past 5 years; an estimate of those with family ties to U.S. citizens; and a description of steps the Secretary is taking to carry out section 7843. Information for the first five items must be unclassified. The description of steps (item six) may be classified in whole or in part if needed.