Mr. Speaker. on June 24 the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted a preliminary injunction in favor of thousands of Central American immigrants in Georgia. Alabama. and Florida. The court in its decision concluded that the Immigration and Naturalization Service violated the due process rights of thousands of Nicaraguans and others bringing suits. l 2215 The court stated that an interpretation of a statute that has the effect of barring completely access to the courts irrespective of the merits of a persons claim is violative of due process. A retroactive application of the Immigration Reform Act of 1996 violates due process by barring persons completely from even applying for suspension of deportation. I firmly believe that U.S. District Judge James King captured in his decision the essence of a key issue that is before Congress: Due process of law for immigrants. Legislation that I have introduced. the Technical Revisions Act. H.R. 2302. in conjunction with legally compelled administrative action will restore due process of law to Central American refugees. The administration. however. must also contribute toward ensuring that Central American immigrants will receive procedural justice. I would like to commend the Attorney General for her decision in July to set aside the Board of Immigration Appeals ruling in the case of NJB. however. at this urgent time I renew my appeal to her. to her good will so that she will act in accordance with her existing authority to completely reverse the NJB decision. Given the persistent demonstration of support for that result and the substantial equities involved. I am hopeful she will render this reversal in the near future.
Keywords matched
Immigration refugees immigrants Naturalization deportation