Speech #990279028

Mr. Speaker. I rise to express my deep disappointment that the provision to temporarily suspend deportation of Salvadorans and Nicaraguans was dropped by the HouseSenate conference on S. 1200. the "Immigration Control and Legalization Amendments." Although this legislation contains some important reforms of our immigration laws. it would have been a significantly stronger bill had these provisions been retained. Granting temporary asylum to Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees is primarily a humanitarian issue. These countries are involved in civil conflicts characterized by extreme brutality and random violence. In response to this violence refugees from El Salvador and Nicaragua are fleeing to the United States. But under our current immigration law. they are considered illegal aliens. and subject to being returned to their own countries. Our standards of justice. decency. and human rights demand that we do not return desperate and frightened people to situations of civil danger and violence. Additionally. there are compelling legal reasons that we must halt deportation of refugees. The Geneva Conventions of 1949. the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions. and customary humanitarian law require protection for Salvadoran refugees. Refugees have the right to flee from armed conflict. seek asylum. and receive at least temporary refuge. When we refuse to grant even temporary refuge. we violate our international agreements. and weaken our credibility internationally. Allowing temporary refuge to people fleeing El Salvador and Nicaragua would give Congress the opportunity to study the issue and formulate policy. without the pressure of continued deportations. By deleting this provision. Congress is missing a key opportunity to construct a fair policy which balances humanitarian issues. international law. and U.S. immigration concerns. Although I will support this muchneeded legislation on final passage. I deeply regret that it does not contain the Houseapproved language to protect El Salvadorans and Nicaraguans who are fleeing the violence in their countries.