Senate Immigration Subcommittee to Vote on Haitian Legislation March 10; Advocacy Needed to Ensure Bill Passes

BACKGROUND

Last year during Congressional debate on the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), Haitians, who also arrived here fleeing persecution and received temporary protection by the U.S., began demanding the same relief as obtained by the Central Americans, Although they ultimately were not included in the Central American bill, separate legislation was introduced and the Administration granted Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to Haitians who filed for asylum before December 31, 1995, or were paroled into the U.S. prior to December 31, 1995. This relief is for one year at which time it can be reevaluated based on the status of the pending legislation.

SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS

Legislation is pending in both the Senate and the House. On November 9, 1997, Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Connie Mack (R-FL), Spencer Abraham (R-MI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) introduced the Senate bill, S. 1504. Like what NACARA provided for Nicaraguans and Cubans, this bill would permit Haitian nationals who were paroled into the U.S. or who had filed for asylum prior to December 31, 1995 to adjust their status to permanent resident, This bill covers Haitians who were screened in through Guantanamo Bay and established a "credible fear" of persecution. An identical bill, H.R. 3049, was Introduced in the House by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Carrie Meek (D-FL), Melvin Watt (D-NC), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Corrine Brown (D-FL), and Maxine Waters (D-CA).

SENATE IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE VOTE

On March 10, the Senate Immigration Subcommittee will be voting on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997, S. 1504, to show widespread and bipartisan Senate support, it is critical to get as many co-sponsors to the bill prior to the subcommittee's March 10 vote as possible. If passed by the Subcommittee, the bill will move to a vote by the full Judiciary Committee and then to the Senate Floor. The timing of a full committee vote is not clear, though advocates in D.C. are actively lobbying Judiciary Committee members.

SENATE ACTION REQUESTED

Please contact your Senator either by letter or phone call and ask him/her to support long awaited relief for Haitians by signing on as a co-sponsor to S. 1504. Use the attached talking points for specific arguments. The number for the Capital switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Art now because the Senate Immigration Subcommittee will be voting on this bill March 10,

HOUSE STRATEGY

Not surprisingly, House legislation is not moving forward because there is significant opposition from Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), Chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. The advocacy goal is to move a strong bipartisan bill from the Senate to the House to weaken Representative Smith's opposition to the Haitian legislation. While the bill is moving through the Senate, advocates are working to gain support from Representatives, especially Republicans, for the Haitian legislation so that the House Leadership will not support Rep. Smith's opposition.

HOUSE ACTION REQUESTED

Please take the time to write a letter on organizational letterhead to your Representative asking him/her to support relief to Haitians by signing on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 3033 and/or H.R. 3049 (note: some Representatives are co-sponsoring both bills). The number for the Capital switchboard is (202) 224-3121.

Note: Additional advocacy materials including a back grounder and quotes page containing quotes from editorials and leaders supporting relief for Haitians are available by calling Tara Young at (202) 544-0004 ext. 42.

• Why Congress Should Enact Legislation to Protect Haitian Refugees in the United States

• Draft Sign-on Letter to Senate to Support S. 1504, Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997