The Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, passed on May 23, 1975, under President Gerald Ford, was a response to the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War.

Preceding May 1975, the United States policy for Southeast Asian refugees had been to assist by resettling them in safer areas of their home nations.

[3] This act financed the transportation, processing, reception, and resettlement costs of more than 130,000 Vietnamese who had been evacuated from Vietnam during Operation Frequent Wind and who were granted parole by the Attorney General to enter the United States.

Each refugee underwent a security check and could theoretically be denied admittance if he or she "violated a social norm, had a criminal record, or had offenses that were political in nature."

Although many politicians thought it appropriate and necessary for the United States to provide a safe haven for those denied their human rights, some questioned the fairness of the Indochina Migration and Refugee Act for several reasons.

Other legislators, like Representative Frank Sensenbrenner, were concerned with the price tag of committing so many immigrants (roughly $1 billion per year), especially in a time of rising unemployment.

[6] While many refugees were receiving financial assistance, economic success did not come easily and this use of federal funding became an issue that not only lawmakers were paying attention too, but also the American public.

'"[7] A last group of opponents believed that presidents Ford and Carter were taking advantage of the parole system to allow mass numbers of people into the nation.

It opened the gates for displaced persons from Southeast Asia and also served as a symbol of commitment to those affected by the devastation from the Vietnam War.