The World - News from July 14, 1989

A proposed liberalization of emigration laws in the Soviet Union will nearly quadruple the number of Soviets seeking to settle in the United States, according to Max Robinson, consul general at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He said that about 33,000 Soviets moved to the United States in 1988. This year, Soviets are registering their intent to emigrate at an annual rate of 120,000, and that could reach 250,000 by 1990, he said. Robinson said the United States, although “delighted” with the upswing, is also concerned that the U.S. immigration system could be overwhelmed.