Meek Bill to Help Haitians Included in Senate Immigration Bill
Meek Bill to Help Haitians Included in Senate Immigration Bill
HRIFA Improvement Act Language Added at Last Minute
Saying "this is a huge and important step forward in the fight for fairness for Haitians," U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek reported that his bill to expand existing immigration law to make it possible for more Haitians to attain permanent residency status in the United Statesthe HRIFA (Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act) Improvement Act (H.R. 3658)has been included in the immigration bill that was approved this afternoon by the Senate.
"We have been working with Senators Nelson, Kennedy and DeWine in an effort to have our bill to help Haitians considered in the Senate," Meek said. "We had to work through the Senate because the House Republican leadership would not allow me to bring up the bill in the House."
The Meek bill, now included in the Senate immigration bill, would expand HRIFA coverage to most Haitians who arrived by air but were refused protection because of documentation problems. The Meek bill would also prevent children who applied for HRIFA protection from "aging out"turning 21 and becoming adults before their applications are processed by immigration authorities.
Senators Kennedy and DeWine included the Meek bill in a massive 114-page manager's amendment to the Senate Immigration bill which passed by a vote of 54-41. The Senate then passed the immigration bill by a vote of 62-36.
"We still have a lot of work to do," Meek said. "There has to be a joint House-Senate Conference committee to work out the huge differences between the punitive House bill and the more desirable Senate bill. We have to do everything we can to ensure that, if there is a compromise bill, our HRIFA Improvement Act language is included."
http://kendrickmeek.house.gov/press/2006.05.25.shtml