Speech #980154906

I refer to those Cuban and Haitian nationals who came to the United States to seek a safe haven from poverty and abuse. Most of these people arrived in 1980 and were given the classification of Cuban/Haitian entrantsstatus pending. That was an entirely unique classification having virtually no precedent in our immigration law. The classification was devised because no other category was appropriate. Technically. they were not refugees. technically they were not immigrants since they had no visas. More importantly. however. they were not and never have been illegal aliens. They were invited by Presidential declaration to come to our shores and they have been here ever since. This legislation would provide a remedy to the tragic plight of those Haitian boat people. many of whom were imprisoned for up to 18 months. Federal court decisions have found this detention program to have been illegal and discriminatory and like the Cubans. the Haitians have accumulated significant equities and become productive members of our communities. This proposal will therefore adjust their status to permanent residents and permit them to become fullfledged members of our society. This bill also seeks to rectify an unjust policy the administration has been following in refusing to issue visas in Havana to Cuban nationals for whom petitions have been approved. thus preventing the reunification of families. This runs counter to the fundamental basis of our immigration policyfamily reunification must remain our primary consideration.a