Speech #980179829

Today. thousands of Americans deeply fear that this is the case with Salvadorans. I must confess that I am not certain it is. because a strong and persuasive argument is made on the other side of the issue. The uncertainty which remains. however. is a clear indication of our need for greater knowledge upon which to base our policy toward Salvadoran refugees. The particular merit of S. 2131 is that it recognizes our need for more accurate knowledge of the dangers which may face Saivadorans if they are deported. and that it simultaneously assures their protection until we obtain that knowledge. I strongly support the general approach of S. 2131. which is the suspension of deportation of Salvadorans for a fixed period. during which the administration and Congress can study this problem and develop an appropriate policy. I am concerned. however. about the timeframe in which S. 2131 proposes to operate and also about the focus of the report which it requries. S. 2131 would suspend the deportation of Salvadorans for 3 years. It would require the President within 18 months to provide Congress with a report on the fate of Salvadorans who have been deported to their homeland. The report also would discuss the number and condition of displaced Salvadorans both within El Salvador and in neighboring countries. Congress then would have an additional 2 years in which to consider the report and formulate a legislative response. In my view. the timeframe provided for both the report and the suspension of deportation are too long. Given the work which the State Department and a number of private organizations have already done In this area. I believe a report can be completed in 6 months. and I am confident that Congress could take action on the report within an additional year. Accordingly. I also believe 18 months should be long enough for the suspension of deportation to last. Suspension of deportation is not policy. but a reflection of the absence of policy. This shorter period would end in a timely fashion the uncertainty currently facing Salvadorans in the United States. It also will indicate clearly that the suspension is temporary in nature. A 3year suspension might well be long enough to seem indefinite to Salvadorans who were contemplating coming to the United States. and therefore it might encourage a wave of migration. As was the case with the Mariel boatlift in 1980. which was caused by the lack of a clear U.S. refugee policy. the consequences of such a development would be negative. especially where our future ability to admit refugees is concerned. In addition to shortening the timeframe of the bill. I believe the focus of the report should be made more specific.