Unity Blueprint Central American Initiative
Contact: Angela Sanbrano angela.san1@verizon.net

Provide an expedited legalizatiion program for long-time resident Central American and other refugees

Legislation should also address and support immediate adjustment of status for thousands of Central American, Haitian, and other refugees who many years ago came to the United States, many fleeing political and economic conditions encouraged by the United States, and who were at any time granted temporary status under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, Temporary Protected Status, the American Baptist Church settlement, the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) of 1998, and similar laws that have permitted certain immigrants to reside in the United States under color of law. Such applications should be processed in one year. Because most immigrants beneficiaries of the program have been living in the United States under color of law for as long as twenty-five years, we propose that approved applicants be permitted to apply for citizenship three years after being granted lawful permanent resident status.