Senate Panel Backs Deportation Delay

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to suspend deportations for two years of Salvadorans and Nicaraguans from the United States, pending an investigation of their safety if forced to return home.

The legislation, approved 11-3, was sent to the Senate for action. The House has passed a similiar bill.

“With the resurgence of violence and killing in El Salvador, and worsening conditions in Nicargua, this legislation takes on great urgency,” said Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.).

The General Accounting Office, the watchdog agency of Congress, would have one year to study the safety of people returning to the two countries and what steps the United States can take to help resolve problems.

Congress would then have nine months to fashion legislation.