Speech #1000080235

Representative FISH requested a report from GAO on the subject of problems experienced by returned Salvadorans. and the GAO reportMay 1987concluded that the extent of violence or persecution was not determinable. H.R. 618 grants extended voluntary departure status to certain Salvadorans and Nicarguans. Second. this bill reverses. in part. the current Refugee Act. Congress passed the Refugee Act in 1980 to set up a consistent system for handling requests for asylum. These requests are reviewed individually on their merits in a fair and equitable manner: H.R. 618 circumvents this legislation by setting up a special system for handling Salvadorans in the next 2 years while waiting for the GAO report. In addition. there is the prospect that a stream of Salvadorans and others from the Caribbean basin will illegaly enter the United States. Third. of the 500.000 to 750.000 Salvadorans in the United States in 1985. only 20.000 to 30.000 had applied for political asylum. This point calls into question whether they are economic migrants or are legitimately fearing persecution upon their return. Currently one must simply show that their lives are endangered to apply for political asylum. Fourth. the United States is not the last safe haven for these individuals. Honduras. Guatemala. and Mexico are alternatives. This point is based on the assumption that there is indeed a threat of persecution. the United States. however. cannot be the first and only place of supporting refugees. aliens. and other immigrants. Fifth. Salvadorans returning to El Salvador are not simply dumped there without any assistance.