Speaker. I stand here today to ask the U.S. Government to have compassion on the Haitian refugees who have fled their country because of fear of political persecution. The actions that are being taken by the U.S. Government are deplorable. How can we live with ourselves? We are supposed to be a compassionate nation. a nation that cares about the world community. and now we refuse to take a moral stance to assist the Haitians simply because they are poor and black. There Is no other explanation for this travesty. because there have been too many other situations where we have gladly opened our arms to refugees from other lands. When trouble erupted in Central America refugees were given the chance to apply for asylum In large numbers. I ask you what is the difference? The United States Embassy in Haiti has noted that there have been reports of killings. police harassment. illegal searches. and looting of private homes and arrests without warrants. by Haitis de facto Government. In addition. Amnesty International has reported hundreds of executions. beatings. and political arrest after the coup. with the repression centered on the supporters of the ousted President. What additional prool does the President need to show that these refugees are escapIng political persecution and not economic persecution. Our own Embassy has provided proof enough. Hundreds of Haitians have been returned without an adequate review process. We know that Haiti Is closely monitoring these returns by fingerprinting each refugee. Im saddened that the President can sleep at night with the blood of these suffering people on his hands. I call for Immediate action by the Congress In response to this emergency. Lets stop these illegal deportations.
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deportations refugee refugees