THE WHITE HOUSE

				

	     	Office of the Press Secretary

	     	   Little Rock, Arkansas
________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                     August 6, 1999




                     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."