Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) of 1998
An Amnesty Bill enacted in 1998 called the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) gave Haitians amnesty benefits. Haitians had felt that they were left out when immigrants from Central America and Europe were given amnesty under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA). They voiced their concerns and the bill was passed by both houses of Congress. HRIFA granted permanent resident status to any Haitian, along with their spouse and children, who had been in the United States since December 1995. Eligible immigrants had to apply before April 1, 2000 to receive the amnesty benefits.