On August 5th [1997], after some proding, the Nung family of three was accepted by
INS to immigrate to the US, but in a Parolee status (Greencard).  Attached [see below]
as a MS Word 7.0 document is one of the letters I sent to US embassies in
Bangkok and Hanoi to get their US entry status changed to that of Refugee,
rather than Parolee.

On August 19th this was done, as the above email text from Eldon Hager
indicates.  I also received a fax to the same effect from the Olen Martin,
INS Bangkok and hard copy snail mail from Dewey Pendergrass, Director,
Orderly Departure Program (ODP), US State Dep, Bangkok.

I conveyed this info to family's parents in Covina (Los Angeles), CA.  The
family should have arrived in Los Angeles under the sponsorship of USCC on
August 29th.  I have not heard from the USCC as to whether or not they
arrived, but will call them tomorrow.  Any questions, don't hesitate to
phone me.  Take care.

Tommy Daniels
SFA, SOA, GCMA
704 884 8844

==========================================================
Special Forces Association, Inc.
Rt. 1, Box 296-B
Brevard, NC  28712-9724
TEL:  704 884 8844
August 20, 1997
                                                                                               FAX:  704 884 8845 E-M:  tdusa@citcom.net

FAX Transmission ........................... this page only

TO:   Olden R. Martin, District Director
      U.S. INS, Bangkok, Thailand
  FAX# 011 66 2 255 2917

RE:   Vong Ky Kim   (V# 118378, HK8001001-B)

Dear Mr. Martin,
 We have been advised that this Nung family will finally be reunited with their relatives who came to the U.S. from Hong Kong in late June.  However, we’re at a loss as to why Kim’s entry status is that of a Parolee rather than a Refugee.
 On May 30th the Kim family of three was forcefully repatriated from Hong Kong to the SRV.  The U.S. Consulate to Hong Kong attempted to rescue a group of eighteen Nungs but these three were mistakenly left on the plane.
 Had Kim been interviewed by INS in Hong Kong, certainly he would have been granted Refugee status.  All thirty-one Nung principals interviewed there, and every one of their 173 relatives, were granted Refugee status.  Many of these relatives were adult children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren of the Nung principals; and none were brought to the U.S. as Parolees.
 Due to the urgency of that situation and the political interests, there may have been some “rule bending” in the Hong Kong interviews, favoring Refugee status.  Nonetheless, a clear precedent was set for that particular group of Nungs and the change in venue for Kim should not have changed the criteria by which his case is judged.
 Will you kindly reconsider his case and change his status from Parolee to Refugee?  Your prompt attention and favorable consideration will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
 
 
 

Tommy Daniels
SFA Nung Resettlement Project Officer

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