Speech #980223057

Mr. Speaker. while I was one of those who voted against the immigration bill yesterday on final passage. I must acknowledge that amendment 62. which granted permanent residence to Cuban and Haitian nationals. is a great victory for thousands of these refugees who have remained in limbo for several years. The adoption of this amendment to the immigration bill by voice vote indicates the strong bipartisan support which exists for resolving this issue. Credit must of course be given to the tremendous efforts of the National Coalition for Haitian Refugees and its executive director. Michael S. Hopper. Certainly without his tremendous commitment to the issue. the status of these refugees might still be unresolved. The religious community has also played a key role in calling for a solution to the plight of Cubans from the Mariel exodus and Haitians who arrived during the same period of time. Church World Service. of the National Council of Churches. outlined their support for the bill in a letter to the House last week. Because of their longstanding support for Haitian refugees. I would like to include this letter in the RECORD for my colleagues review. The letter follows: DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: An important piece of legislation before the House of Representatives this session is the CubanHaitian Adjustment Act of 1984 . introduced earlier this year by Judiciary Committee Chairman Peter W. Rodino. Jr. and now being offered as an amendment to H.R. 1510. The bill represents a humane and just approach to the plight of Cuban and Haitian refugees in this country. We. as national religious leaders. request your support of this measure. The measure would provide permanent.. resident status to a restricted class of Cuban and Haitian boat people who arrived in the United States between early 1980 and January 1. 1982. This group encompasses some 125.000 Cubans and 31.000 Haitians. It is composed of most of the Cubans and Haltians who arrived in the 1980 boatlift. individuals who were given an ad hoc "entrant" status. as well as a small group of Cubans and Haitians arriving after that program. Our various denominations have a demonstrated history of concern for the protection and care of refugees needing haven from the conditions in their homelands. Many of us have ministered to the Cubans since the late 1950s and the Haitians since the early 1970s. attempting to meet not only their physical and emotional needs. but also endeavoring to ensure fairness and due process in their efforts to gain status in this country. The story of our governments treatment of Cubans and Haitians in the past few years is a sad one. one which religious organizations have criticized. Not only have these refugees been left in an undefined status for the past four years. but also many who arrived subsequent to the 1980 "entrant" program. particularly the Haitians. were incarcerated for up to eighteen months while seeking status. Their release was gained only by federal court order. Chairman Rodinos amendment is a thoughtful and appropriate response to the Cuban and Haitian plight.