President Clinton released a statement on December 23rd directing Attorney General Reno to halt deportation proceedings for an estimated 20,000 Haitians who entered the US in parole status from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba or applied for asylum in the US before December 31, 1995. The President cast his decision in foreign policy terms contending that sending back thousands of Haitians could destabilize the Haitian government.

The decision follows last month's decision by Attorney General Janet Reno to halt deportation proceedings against Haitians pending a decision by the Administration on how to deal with the cases. The Administration came under fire from a variety of groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus, for not including Haitians in the Central American Amnesty bill.

According to the President, "Haitians deserve the same treatment we sought for Central Americans. Like Central Americans, Haitians for many years were forced to seek the protection of the United States because of oppression, human rights abuses and civil strife at home. Many of them have established strong ties and made significant contributions to our communities. And, while we have been encouraged by Haiti's progress following the restoration of democratic government in 1994, the situation there remains fragile. Staying the deportation of these Haitians and obtaining for them permanent legislative relief will help support a stable and democratic Haiti which, in turn, is the best safeguard against a renewed flow of Haitian migrants to the United States."

Clinton indicated that he will work with Congress to find a long-term form of legislative relief. Florida Senator Bob Graham has already introduced legislation that would grant permanent residency to the Haitians covered by the President's order. Miami Congresswoman Carrie Meek, a Democrat whose district has a large Haitian population, has introduced legislation that would cover any Haitian in the US since December 31, 1995. That would cover as many as 140,000 people. President Clinton has not indicated if he favors either bill.

The form of relief offered is called "Deferred Enforced Departure." It was used in 1993 to stay the deportation of some Salvadorans and three times by President Bush. In 1990, it was used to protect Chinese students in the wake of the Tiananamen massacre, in 1991 to protect some Kuwaiti evacuees of the Gulf War and in 1992 for Salvadorans. While the President could simply have ordered immigration officials to temporarily halt deportation proceedings against Haitians, the DED is considered more desirable since it will allow Haitians to legally work in the US.