Speech #1020111322

We had no responsibility." Such outrages took place on the shores of the United States. largely because these people happened to be black. We find no other explanation. There are no precedents in the history of the country of refugees fleeing political persecution. being treated as the Haitians are being treated. This is a racial issue. It has to be confronted head on as a racial issue. We have a resolution that has been drafted by Congressman RANEL that was introduced on October 10. House Concurrent Resolution 220: Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That the Congress strongly condemns the unconstitutional seizure of power by the military Junta in Haiti and supports the Bush administrations refusal to recognize the coup and strongly supports the Organization of American States efforts And it also calls upon the Attorney General to suspend all deportation and exclusion proceedings for Haitians from the United States pending a resolution of the deep political and military crisis in Haiti. Let me repeat. Suspend all deportation and exclusion proceedings for Haitians pending a resolution of the deep political and military crisis in Haiti as called for by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights. It also calls on the United States to designate Haiti under section 244(A)(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to temporary protected status. It calls upon the U.S. Coast Guard to begin a coordinated search and rescue at sea operation with respect to Haitians fleeing Haiti. stop the interdiction and the refoulment of Haitian boat people. bring Haitians rescued at sea to the United States for temporary safe haven and save those Haitians who flee the violence. the persecution and anarchy of their homeland. as called for by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights.