Speech #990278492

It found that those seeking political asylum from Central American countries have a much lower approval rate from the INS than those from other countries. even when their claims are similar. Aliens who stated on their applications that they were arrested. imprisoned. had their life threatened. or were tortured had much lower approval rates if they were from El Salvador and Nicaragua than if they were from Poland and Iran. For example. those who described torture to support their asylum request had an approval rate of 4 percent in El Salvador cases. 15 percent in Nicaragua. 80 percent in Poland. and 64 percent in Iran. The study also provides evidence that the process is far more controlled by the State Department. and thereby subject to political pressures based on foreign policy concerns. in Central America cases. Justice [INS] changed its original decision to agree with the State Department in 100 percent of the Salvadoran cases and 98 percent of the Nicaraguan cases. compared to 78 percent of the Iranian cases. Moreover. the study found that among the files of the four countries of origin examined. only applicants from El Salvador had actually been deported. I am very troubled by the findings in this preliminary report. and am anxious to see the final product later this month. While it is clearly too late to respond legislatively this session. I intend to work with Senator SIMPSON and other interested Senators during the next couple months to determine the appropriate congressional response to these disturbing revelations. My interest in the plight of Central American refugees dates back to my visits to that region in May and August 1983. I was an early cosponsor of what is now known as the DeConciniMoakley bill. first introduced on November 17. 1983. calling for a temporary halt of deportations of Salvadorans pending the outcome of a study into the conditions of displaced refugees and the risks of return to their country. This longstanding concern was heightened on January 14. 1985. when 60 undocumented aliens were arrested across the country. including a Guatemalan family in Philadelphia. in an effort to crack down on the Sanctuary movement. After meeting with the Guatemalan family. Mr. and Mrs.