As John McAward points out: If President Duarte fails to take action against the officers implicated In the Las Hojas massacre. he will reaffirm an unwritten law in El Salvador. a Salvadoran military officer is immune from prosecution. On July 15. 1984. John McAward discussed the problem of Salvadoran refugees in the United States in an article in the Los Angeles Times. He called on the U.S. Government to grant immunity to undocumented immigrants from El Salvador inside the United States because of El Salvadors "polarized political climate and its widespread and often indiscriminate violence (which) place its people in mortal danger." Such an action. says McAward: Would be in the best tradition of Americas immigrant heritage * * * Legislation granting Salvadorans the same status accorded to other nationalities under "extended voluntary departure" is a necessary humane and just next step. It would not entitle Salvadorans to citizenship. nor would it guarantee them a "free ride." at taxpayer expense. It would simply give them a measure of peace here while awaiting peace in their homeland.
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undocumented immigrants immigrant refugees