Mr. Speaker. today I join with my colleagues in expressing outrage over the recent Executive order Issued by the President. This policy of forcibly returning Haitian refugees without giving them a fair opportunity to apply for political asylum. Is clearly cruel and Inhumane. Moreover. it is a gross violation of international human rights. I am deeply disturbed by the Insensitivity displayed by the administration. to the Haitian plight. Never before has the United States had a policy of return for any group suffering from civil strife other than these black refugees. How can we allow these refugees who are fleeing tyranny to be turned back. to travel in dangerous sharkinfested waters and face further oppression when we know their chances for survival are slim? It Is simply barbaric and Inconsistsnt with what this Nation is supposed to stand for. Civil strife does exist in Haiti. The peope are attempting to escape from the political repression and the Increasing human rights abuses that are occurring there. Therefore. these refugees should be given a chance to obtair. political asylum. They should not be sent back without some fair process to evaluate their claim to asylum. I believe the Haitians at least should be granted extended voluntary departure status. I call on the President to immediately rescind this racist policy of forced repatriation. Instead of exerting energy to keep Haitian refugees out of the United States. the Government should work diligently to help restore democracy to that troubled country.
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refugees