The Nation - News from Feb. 20, 1989

Saying it is time for the newcomers to fend for themselves, city officials in Miami are dismantling a controversial special relief program for Nicaraguan immigrants. “You have to kick them out of the nest,” said Martha Torres, a volunteer official. The assistance had drawn criticism from black leaders in the wake of last month’s disturbances in Miami’s black neighborhoods. They claimed Latino immigrants were granted special privileges while blacks were relatively ignored. The city had assembled two shelters to handle the more than 300 aliens who were living in a baseball stadium. They were later placed in apartments. Critics of the city’s recent decisions say the Nicaraguans are unlikely to be able to become self-sufficient because most will not have work permits while immigration officials decide whether they will be permitted to stay.