President Bush. in a reversal of earlier policy. ordered the Coast Guard to return all Haitian nationals intercepted at sea to their country without allowing them to apply for asylum. The Coast Guard now leaves the dangerously overcrowded boats to fend off the perils of the high seas without assistance. The administration also decided to close the Guantanamo Bay refugee center which has been sheltering Haitians and processing their petitions for political asylum. This policy change must not be allowed to stand. The 1951 Geneva Convention states that no country "shall expel or return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedm would be threatened. * * *" This determination cannot be made through a Coast Guard bullhorn in the open sea. Despite international agreement and other policies which have afforded protection to similarly afflicted groups. the President continues to return Haitians fleeing persecution. Four months ago. I Joined others in Congress calling on the President to suspend the deportation of Haitian refugees. But the deportations are continuing to this day. and President Bush still clings to his belief that. despite the brutal conditions they face. Haitians are fleeing simply to find better economic opportunities. Mr. President. in 1939. the Roosevelt administration returned to Germany a ship filled with Jews escaping Hitlers death camps. Let us not make that mistake again. Haitian boat people merit the same protection as other refugees. I strongly support Senator KENNEDYS legislation to halt the forced repatriation of Haitian nationals and urge the Senate to act quickly to pass this measure.*
Identified stereotypes
The President believes Haitians are fleeing simply to find better economic opportunities, despite brutal conditions.