Mr. Chairman. I add my voice in strong support of H.R. 618. which I cosponsored. to suspend the forcible deportation of refugees from the wartorn countries of Nicaragua and El Salvador. This is a tremendously important measure for two reasons. First. this bill addresses the key issue of human distress caused by current conditions in Central America. It seeks to help those civilian victims of the upheaval that have fled for their lives and safety. These refugees would not be granted permanent residence. nor would they be eligible for most forms of Federal assistance. But they would be given haven in this country until the Government Accounting Office [GAO] describes in full and accurate detail the situation facing these refugees if they returned to Nicaragua or El Salvador. This forces us to examine the fate awaiting these refugees before deporting them. Both Nicaragua and El Salvador are in the midst of civil war. widespread domestic violence. and economic collapse caused by embargoes. war and strife. El Salvador. in addition. has still not recovered from the tremendous earthquake of 1986 when over 300.000 Salvadorans were rendered homeless. El Salvadors President Duarte has stated repeatedly that his country simply could not economically absorb at this time the overseas refugees from El Salvador. He welcomes the measure we are considering today. Secondly. this bill is evenhanded. It provides relief equally to both Nicaraguan and Salvadoran refugees. In other words. it is "ideologically neutral." It addresses human suffering regardless of politics and that is in keeping with Americas best traditions of nonideological compassion for those seeking refuge on our shores.
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deporting deportation refugees