The Haitian Relief Act was a first-step in providing equity of relief, but Guatemalans and El Salvadorans, as well as Honduran nationals, continue to be left out of recent ameliorative legislation. AILA strongly supports H.R. 2722 and S. 1592. This interim regulation, affecting an estimated 300,000 nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, and the former Soviet bloc, establishes procedures for the special rules to be applied in processing applications for relief from deportation. If implemented properly, the regulations will be helpful because they include a presumption of extreme hardship for certain Salvadorans and Guatemalans. However, despite this regulatory benefit, legislation is still needed to grant the same relief to these individuals as was granted to others.
Recent legislation drawing drastic distinctions based upon country of origin is unsound.
U.S. immigration law should provide fair and equitable relief for nationals from all countries without favoring certain foreign nationals, whose political and economic situations differ little from that of their neighbors. AILA strongly supports legislation and regulations that would provide for just and equitable relief for immigrants from Central America. Inc. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. Inc. All rights reserved.