Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to H.R. 618. which would suspend deportation of Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees living illegally in the U.S. I am troubled by the plight of many innocent citizens of both those wartorn nations. I also strongly object to the administrations recent decision to grant Nicaraguan nationals extended voluntary departure [EVD] status. The Administration has set a bad precedent. In response. the Congress seems determined to set another. The 1980 Refugee Act establishes universal and fair guidelines under which any foreign national may apply for EVD status based on likely persecution should that individual be returned to his or her home. In that act. we loosened our own standard to conform to the easier United Nations standard. That procedure is fair. especially since a recent Supreme Court decision eased the burden of proof on refugees. My position. and the position both of the Immigration Subcommittee and of the entire Congress. has been that we should retain this nonnationspecific procedure. Any other standard can too easily be manipulated for political purposes. I have been concerned at the low rate of acceptance of Salvadoran applicants.
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Immigration Refugee deportation refugees