Speech #980219397

Chairman. I rise in support of this important clarifying amendment offered by the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee. It would provide permanent resident status to certain Cuban and Haitian entrants. thereby correcting the unique plight and legal limbo of this restricted number of refugees. We must remember that the great majority of individuals who would benefit from this amendment are not illegal aliens. As a result of the Mariel boatlift in early 1980. and the exodus of many Haitians from their island homeland. the Carter administration granted these Cuban and Haitian "boat people" temporary legal statusthat of "CubanHaitian Entrant"-and a promise of legal residence. They have waited patiently in "immigration limbo" for the Federal Government to make good on its promise. That has not occurred. This amendment fulfills that promise. I also join in Chairman RODINOS continuing concern for the particular plight of those Haitian refugees. approximately 10.000 of whom were detained. not granted entrant status. and approximately 2.000 of whom spent as long as 18 months in detention. This detention program was ultimately found to have been illegal and discriminatory by two courts. This group of nonentrants. many of whom have applied for asylum. still faces the prospect of forcible deportation to Haiti. the country from which they fled over 3 years ago. The number of persons who would benefit from this amendment is welldefined and limited. The total includes 125.000 Cubans and approximately 30.000 Haitians. It is essential that the legalization title of this bill contain the particular language of this amendment to provide for the needs of these two groups so that their discriminatory treatment can come to an end. The general and comprehensive legalization program already in the bill. which provides for permanent resident status for illegal aliens who have proof of residence in the United States prior to January 1. 1982. does not apply to the "CubanHaitian Entrant" group nor to the non-"Entrant" Haitians. because they are not considered illegal aliens. Again. I express my support for Chairman RODINOs amendment which will free these "CubanHaitian Entrants" and Haitian asylum applicants from uncertainty and fulfull the promise of a future in our country. Justice should be a part of true immigration reform. I urge our colleagues to vote for this amendment so that justice will prevail.