Speech #1030048931

Closing the camp immediately will result in saving our Government more than $15.000 a day. more than half a million dollars per month. $7 to $8 million a year. Most of the Haitians upon arrival in the United States will be supported by family members. friends. and charitable institutions. Those without families will be resettled initially from exclusively private funding sources. all perhaps will be assisted by Federal moneys in which all refugees are entitled. Eligibility for the Federal refugee benefits will end if political asylum is denied. The Haitians will be entitled to the same refugee assistance that is available to Cuban and others who wish to begin a new life in the United States. Any incidental cost incurred will be exceedingly smaller than the costs of operating the Guantanamo camp. And. certainly any cost incurred by the State of Florida as a result of the Guantanamo Haitians should be reimbursed out of the savings realized by the Federal Government. While the Haitians were detained at Guantanamo. the Federal Government paid 100 percent of their housing. food. medical care. and other living expenses. Once the refugees arrive in the United States. they will earn their own wages. and to the extent that they require support. the burden of providing for their living expenses will be shared by their families churches. community groups. and voluntary agencies. The American people are certainly entitled to know and to have a say regarding the economic impact of our immigration policies. But the sudden focus on costs in this case is clearly a way of justifying our prejudices against these particular asylum seekers. Those voicing their concern over the cost of caring for the Haitians in the United States have said nothing about the cost over the past 20 months of running the Guantanamo camp. Not all of the Haitians affected by Judge Johnsons order have tested positive for HIV.