[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
#236: White House Statement on Central American, Haitian Migrants (fwd)
From:nozier@tradewind.net
White House Statement on Central American, Haitian Migrants
To: National Desk
Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2100
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released
today by the White House:
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
President Clinton Announces Legislation to Provide Parity for Central
American and Haitian Migrants
Yesterday President Clinton transmitted to the Congress
legislation that amends and expands the 1997 "Nicaraguan Adjustment
and Central American Relief Act" (NACARA) and the "Haitian Refugee
Immigration Fairness Act of 1998" (HRIFA). The President's bill aims
to ensure that migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Haiti all receive similar treatment under U.S.
immigration law.
This bill would right the imbalances left by NACARA by offering
the same protection to all Central Americans who have fled violence,
human rights abuses and unrest. Under the legislation, those
migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who have resided
continuously in the United States since December 1, 1995, and do not
have disqualifying characteristics such as certain criminal
convictions -- the same requirements applicable to Nicaraguans and
Cubans under NACARA -- would be eligible to become lawful permanent
residents. It would provide similar treatment to Haitians who sought
the protection of the United States in the early 1990s, following the
overthrow of a democratically elected regime.
The enactment of this legislation would contribute to stability
and development in these young and fragile democracies. While these
countries have made important strides in recent years, they suffer
from significant unemployment and underemployment. Repatriation of
the nationals of these countries who have longstanding ties to the
United States would only add to the economic and political challenges
facing these governments. The United States has invested substantial
resources in establishing peace and democracy in these societies, and
this legislation will help carry out that important commitment.
"I am pleased that Representatives Luis Gutierrez and
Christopher Smith introduced this legislation last night with broad
bipartisan support," the President said. "I commend their leadership
on this issue and the support of Representatives Carrie Meek,
Benjamin Gilman and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who joined with others as
original co-sponsors of this important legislation."