Speech #1010096759

While there are detainees who are not fit to be released into the general population as a result of past behavior. lockdown should be the exceptions and not the rule. The continuing Justice Department reviews of Cuban detainees support the view that change is necessary. Of those detainees denied release by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. some 40 percent have been approved by the Department of Justice review panels to be deserving of release from custody. As we approach the 10year anniversary of the Madel boatlift. many of those now being subjected to indefinite detention were only children when they reached our shores. These children were taught in our schools that this country stands for equitable and fair treatment for all who live here. The detainees have never received equitable and fair treatment and are not receiving it now. I continue to call for those in the Mariel boatlift and other excludable aliens to have the same limited rights as other undocumented aliens. Our national policy of indefinite detention should be abolished once and for all. I stand with the Reverend Augustin Roman. auxiliary bishop of Miami. and Reverend Enrique San Pedro. auxiliary bishop in Galveston/ Houston. who have stated that "it is a basic human right that after a man or woman has paid his or her debt to society. his or her freedom should be restored.