Mr. President. the Bush administrations inaction on restoring democracy to Haiti is having a serious Impact here In the United States of America. In fact. the administrations lack of a consistent policy during the refugee crisis has hurt everyone involvedthe Haitians who have fled the country. State and local governments. particularly in my State of Florida and around the country. and the Federal Government Itself. Up until about a week ago. the State of Florida was assured that all Haitians who were admitted to the United States for asylum processing would first be tested for excludable. contagious diseases. and would arrive in Miami with a work permit In hand. Without any notification to the State. that policy was abruptly reversed. After the Supreme Court ruled on repatriation. the administration has instituted a policy which I believe will have grave consequences. * Since February 11. all Haitians who are interdicted on the high seas have been interviewed by immigration officials on the Coast Guard cutters. � Those whom officials determine to have colorable asylum claims are then brought to Miami. not Guantanamo. without further processing. I underscore "without further processing." Krome Processing Center In Miami. the destination for Haitians who are screened in. that is. found to have a colorable claim for political asylum. by immigration officials. is a tenporary processing facility. As recently as early January of this year. Mr..
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immigration asylum processing asylum claims work permit refugee