Mr. Speaker. President Reagan has recently ordered that ships in international waters shall be intercepted if suspected of harboring Haitian refugees. This is an illegal act and a violation of the U.N. Convention on Refugees. This issue has been of great concern both to the Congressional Black Caucus and the Caribbean Action Lobby. We have called repeatedly for an equitable policy toward Haitians that gives them the same consideration as other refugees. The administration is obviously moving in the opposite direction. one that I view as extremely destructive. I am appalled at this action. It is dreadfully inhumane. and so far as I am concerned. it is absolutely outrageous. The Haitians clearly suffer political repression. it is not just economic. Our Government is blatantly inconsistent in welcoming refugees from Communist countries while turning our backs on refugees from other countries. Mr. Speaker. the question this issue raises in my mind is: What is going to happen to the rest of the Caribbean?
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Refugees refugees