Speech #980256053

Mr. Speaker. in 1982 a movement was started in my State of Arizona to aid those that have been the true recipients of this administrations policy in Central America: refugees. Today. more than 150 parishes and congregations have declared their church or synagogue a "sanctuary" for illegal Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants. While it is true that this action represents a grassroots protest of the Nations current policy in Central Americaa policy that has forced many people to flee in fearit is also a praiseworthy effort by men and women of faith to respond to the suffering of fellow human beings. Some 50.000 people have been assisted by this sanctuary movement. Some have argued that the Salvadorans entering this country are merely economic migrants in search of monetary rewards. rather than political refugees. Consequently. in the past 22 months the Government has granted political asylum to only 391 Salvadorans and denied it to 13.790. saying they failed to prove that they were personally persecuted in El Salvador. I do not intend to challenge the ability nor the sincerity of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. however. the documents and files held by religious and refugee groups would argue to the contrary. And I would suggest that the state of affairs in that country are so severe as to place the life of most anyone in jeopardy. You may doubt my assertion and firmly believe that all is well and good. and these people should be returned to their native country.