It was only through the bipartisan efforts of Congressional Black Caucus members and our former colleague. current HUD Secretary. Jack Kemp. that Ethiopians were able to retain the protection of extended voluntary departure. Was it a mere coincidence that Ethiopians. black refugees. were targeted for this change in policy? Is it a coincidence today. that Haitians. another group of black refugees. are being denied even temporary protection until the political situation in Haiti Is resolved? Even the socalled regional solution to disperse some 500 Haitians to other countries. in the Caribbean and Latin America. is unprecedented and has been established exclusively for Haitians. Unfortunately. Mr. Speaker. we do not have a coincidence. Our refugee and asylum policy continues to be driven not by equity but by the skin color of the refugees involved. It is only with black refugees that we seem committed to a policy of return despite the political conditions in their home countries. This policy toward Haitians is particularly disturbing in light of the imminent negotiations which are expected between President Aristide and the Haitian Parliament for his return to Haiti. I would ask the administration: What is the big rush?
Identified stereotypes
Refugee and asylum policy is driven by the skin color of the refugees involved.