Speech #1020136116

I come to the well after witnessing first hand the conditions facing Haitians upon their return home from sea. For this reason. I support H.R. 3844. the Haitian Refugee Protection Act. H.R. 3844 prohibits. for 180 days. the Involuntary repatriations of Haitian citizens who were In United States custody on or before February 5. 1992. and do not qualify for asylum. This measure also provides 2.000 federally funded refugee admission slots be allocated to Haiti. Persons involved In the antiAristide coup would not be eligible for the increased slots. Additionally. I support the amendment offered by my friend. Representative JOHN CONYERS. which would permit Haitian refugees to register for temporary protected status until the return of democracy In Haiti. This Is similar to what was provided for Salvadoran refugees who found themselves in a similar situation. Our colleague. LARRY SMITH of Florida. also has a viable proposal I wish to lend my support to.