The Use of United States Refugee and Asylee Admissions as a Tool of Foreign Policy toward Nicaragua and El Salvador in the 1980s

Abstract

This project is based solely on academic research. I started with the question of whether the United States used refugee and asylee admissions as a tool of foreign policy towards Nicaraguan and El Salvador in the 1980s, with a strong premonition that they did. From there, I researched the history of U.S immigration and refugee policy in order· to have a clear understanding of the policy background. Next I studied the conflict and situation in each country, which led to the outpouring of refugees from each. In addition, I researched what the United States' foreign policy was towards each of the countries. Finally, I looked directly at statistics on refugee and asylee acceptance numbers and rates from both Nicaragua and El Salvador. I also researched statements by government officials and policy actions that were taken in order to assess how refugee and asylee admissions were used.