Speech #1000080323

This legislation provides vital. temporary relief for Nicaraguans and El Salvadorans who have fled their war torn countries out of fear for their safety. This legislation should not be viewed as a political judgment of United States policy in Nicaragua and El Salvador. This is a purely humanitarian issue. The United States has a responsibility to protect the lives of refugees who have fled their homes to escape political persecution. The United States has a history of assisting people in similar predicamentsin the past 27 years. extended voluntary departure has been granted 15 times to nationals from countries where political situations were precarious. The Reagan administration has granted extended voluntary departure status to Poles.