For years, the most difficult hurdle for Soviet citizens seeking asylum in the U.S. was obtaining their own government's permission to emigrate. Now thousands of would-be refugees who have been granted precious exit documents are facing an unexpected obstacle. Last week the U.S. embassy in Moscow announced that it has exhausted its entire 1988 budget for resettling Soviets and would process no more refugee visas until Oct. 1.
Hardest hit are thousands of Soviet Armenians, who have swelled the emigrant ranks in recent months. In June alone the embassy issued 2,000 refugee visas, more than the total for all 1987. Many...