Reid’s bill would protect Colombians

Thursday, May 15, 2003 | 9:02 a.m.

A bill introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., would give tens of thousands of Colombians in the United States special status under immigration law, allowing them to remain legally in the country for a limited period of time.

The bill would grant Temporary Protected Status to an estimated 80,000 Colombians nationwide who are put in danger by that country's four-decade-old internal conflict. It is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A similar status has been granted in the past to Central American and African nations facing natural or man-made disasters.

Reid visited Las Vegas with Colombia Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno in late March to hear representatives of the local Colombian community speak about the need for such legislation.

About 3,000 to 5,000 Colombians live in the Las Vegas Valley, representatives from the Las Vegas Colombian Club said at the time, many of whom seek political asylum in order to escape that country's political violence.

"We should continue to help Colombia battle the terrorists in its midst," Reid said.

"In the meantime, however, it would be unconscionable for us to forcibly deport law-abiding nationals currently residing in the United States, thereby placing them in danger of being tortured, kidnapped or even murdered upon their return to their war-torn homeland."