Madam Speaker. first let me thank the gentlewoman from Florida for arranging this special order. Madam Speaker. I rise to speak in opposition to the forced repatriation of Haitians fleeing their homeland. without the benefit of a hearing to determine whether they are in fact refugees fleeing persecution. The practice of intercepting boats filled with refugees on the high seas and forcing them to return to Haiti is one drastically at odds with the longstanding American traditions of offering asylum to the oppressed and of due process for all. The position of the INS is that it stands ready to process any and all requests for asylum through its processing center in PortauPrince. In practice. however. it is precisely those people with a wellfounded fear of persecution who will not expose themselves by openly appearing at such a processing center. clearly signaling their dissatisfaction with the Government and their intention to leave.
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refugees