"The people are forced to choose death before they've had a chance to know what life is about," said Sr. Rose Marie Cummins, director of Centro Presents, a Cambridge refugee assistance organization.

Of the nation's estimated 500,000 Central American refugees, 12,000 live in the Boston area, Cummins said.

A representative of Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) also addressed the City Council last night. Reading a letter from the senator, the aide said the INS's refusal to accept more political refugees was a "stain on our country's honor."

Opposition

Opponents of the resolution worried that many refugees will now come to Cambridge and cause problems in housing, schools, and jobs.

"We have a hard time taking care of Cambridge people," said Councilor Daniel J. Clinton, adding there is already "a big housing problem. Are we inviting a bigger one?"

Mayor Leonard J. Russell said that the resolution might give refugees "false hope" by declaring Cambridge a sanctuary, because the city "clearly can't keep the immigration people out."

Councilor Alice Wolf, a cosponsor of the resolution, disagreed that refugees would flock to Cambridge. "Limits on housing prevent them from moving, people tend to go where their family and friends are" and not to a particular community, she said.

In addition, "people who are hiding know very well what this resolution is about" and will not have false hopes, said Councilor Saundra Graham.

Resolutions similar to the one passed here last night exist in Berkeley, California; Chicago: and St. Paul, Minn