Mr. Speaker. refugees fleeing the continuing violence in El Salvador frequently seek safety in lion. duran refugee camps. Unfortunately. these camps dont always provide the safety the refugees seek. Last August Honduran troops attacked the camp and killed three refugees. including an izifant girl who. according to witnesses. was kicked to death by a government soldier. Legislation is being considered in subcommittee which would grant Salvadoran refugees temporary haven here in the United States. The administration Is oppos. jng this bill on the grounds that the refugees are economic migrants fleeing poverty rather than violence. The administration argues that since the refugees can stay in the camps in Honduras. they dont need to come all the way to the United States to find shelter. Additionally. the administration claims that the violence against civil. ians in El Salvador is greatly decreasing. lessening the need for civilians to leave El Salvador. Recent reports from Central America refute these arguments. Eyewitness accounts indicate that civilians are still innocent victims of conflict in El Salvador. and the recent attack on the Honduran camp. and similar incidents. show why the refugees need shelter here. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times documents the continuing problems for Salvadorans. both in their country. and when they flee to Honduras. I submit the article for inclusion in the RECORD.
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refugee migrants refugees