Bipartisan legislation proposed on June 23 by U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) would provide certain federal refugee benefits to hundreds of political prisoners expelled from Nicaragua in February by the Ortega-Murillo regime.
“This February, the criminal Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua expelled 222 political prisoners and stripped them of their Nicaraguan citizenship, accusing them of treason for denouncing the abuses of the dictatorship,” Rep. Salazar said. “Miami is a refuge for freedom fighters from across Latin America, and this bill makes sure these 222 political prisoners who were tortured and persecuted by Ortega are able to receive all of the critical services offered by the U.S. government to refugees so they can start a new life in the free world.”
Rep. Salazar sponsored the Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act, H.R. 4352, with four original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), to support the eligible Nicaraguan nationals who arrived in the United States on Feb. 9 as part of a political prisoner release and were granted a two-year humanitarian parole by the U.S. government, according to the text of the bill.
If enacted, H.R. 4352 would provide these individuals with benefits, including resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits that are available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as child welfare services and a driver’s license or identification card, the text says.
“The 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who escaped to freedom last February deserve the full support of our government as they and their families begin their new lives in the United States,” said Rep. Castro. “These civic leaders and dissidents are refugees in all but name, and they should have access to the same resources as others who flee from violence and oppression.”
H.R. 4352 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee.