I am very sympathetic with the gentlemans amendment. I think the phrase "extended voluntary departure" is a term of art and is not widely understood. It would. as the gentleman said. accord the same status as that granted to refugees from Nicaragua. I think the gentleman is correct in addressing his resolution to the Secretary of State because this has been a State Department decision rather than an Immigration Service decision. the rationale being that whereas in the case of Nicaragua we disagreed with the government in control. we do not in El Salvador. Therefore. we cannot maintain that one would be persecuted if they went back to a country whose government we approve. However. I think this is a special case the gentleman has brought to the attention of the House. and I would point out that the relief the gentleman seeks really just allows refugees to be registered. to be permitted to stay in this country. temporarily to be permitted to work while they are in the United States pending a final determination of their status. I support the gentleman and believe the amendment he has presented is meritorious.
Keywords matched
Immigration refugees