Speech #1000080239

Moreover. it is extremely difficult to present substantial. documented evidence proving that ones life will be endangered by . returning to ones home country. It seem ludicrous to demand that those seeking refuge must gather evidence of their danger before leaving their country. It has also been argued that we should not be creating a special class of immigrants based on national origin. I would agree with this argument if we had never done it before. During the last 25 years. the United States has suspended the deportation of illegal immigrants from specific countries 14 times. Our present administration has granted it to four nationalities. These nations include Lebanon. Afghanistan. Ethiopia. and Poland. In fact. extended voluntary departure status still exists for Polish refugees. I do not understand how anyone can argue that conditions in Poland are any worse than in El Salvador or Nicaragua. It has also been argued that this bill will cause more illegal immigrants to pour across our borders. The only refugees eligible under this bill are those who are here by the bills date of enactment. Opponents have also claimed that H.R. 618 will undermine last years immigration bill. I disagree with this argument for several reasons. Those covered under H.R. 618 are not being granted permanent residency status as under the immigration bill. They are still required to obtain work permits and are not eligible for Federal assistance. Finally. the provisions of H.R. 618 were actually a part of the immigration reform bill and the House voted not to delete its provisions from the bill. In sum. we in Congress have the responsibility of recognizing that Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees consider themselves to be in danger if they return home. Most of them fervently want to return home. Nicaragua is being ruled by what its independent permanent commission on human rights calls a "Government (that) uses policies of terror and intimidation. of persecution and blackmail. against those persons who hold different opinions and who refuse to submit without protest to a political and ideological plan that essentially ignores the fundamental rights of the Nicaraguan people." Salvador is under attack by leftist guerrillas who are kidnaping citizens and public officials. planting land mines in civilian areas. and generally terrorizing the cities as well as the countryside.