Speech #990275440

Chairman. I rise in strong opposition to the motion to strike the extended voluntary departure language now in the bill. United States immigration policy now affords no special benefits to Salvadorans or Nicaraguans. Undocumented aliens from these countries. if apprehended. are liable for deportation. In light of the civil unrest. violence. and political upheaval in Central America. particularly in Nicaragua. justice and humanitarian concern demand that the United States grant some temporary relief from deportation at least until conditions improve. I should emphasize that the language now in the bill provides only a temporary suspension of certain types of deportation. It does not provide permanent resident status for these refugees nor does it allow access to public assistance. Moreover. the moratorium applies only to those who would be deported because they lack proper documentation. Those who would be deported for criminal convictions. or immoral or illegal activities. would still be deported. I should also note that the administration now has authority for discretionary relief. This legislation is necessary only because the administration. with its special political slant on Central America. has not acted with the humanitarian concern traditionally displayed by America. Our traditional humanitarian concern is codified in our obligations under international and domestic law. As a signatory to the U.S. Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. and in various provisions of U.S. immigration law. the United States has agreed not to return an alien to a country if his life or liberty would be threatened by persecution. To receive asylum. however. an alien must prove that he or she would face persecution to which others in the country are not subjected. For Nicaraguans. it is an unfair burden. There is another form of protection for aliens from countries torn by civil strife. Legal authority now exists for the administration to provide discretionary relief. staying or deferring deportation or extending voluntary departure status. Upon the recommendation of the Department of State. immigration authorities have granted blanket. nationspecific extended voluntary departure status to Cubans. Czechs. Chileans.