CUBAN GOVERNMENT BEGINS NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST US IMMIGRATION LAW Just two months after wining the battle to return Elian Gonzalez to Cuba, the government of the island nation has begun a new campaign to overturn the Cuban Adjustment Act, the law that allows nearly every Cuban who makes it to American shores to receive permanent residency status. The Cuban campaign focuses largely on the issue of safety. The death of Elian Gonzalez’ mother as well as recent shark attacks against refugees have highlighted the often treacherous conditions facing people making the Cuba-US journey by sea. The Gonzalez case is well-known. But the recent grisly deaths of two rafters mutilated by sharks have not received very much publicity in the US. Billboards have been appearing in Cuba with slogans like “Down with the Cuban Adjustment Act.” And recent editorials in government-controlled newspapers have called the Act “The Killer Law.” In one editorial, US authorities are attached because “They refuse to give any news about Cuban citizens who, egged on by that monstrous law, lose their lives, suffer accidents, are kidnapped or disappear without a sign.” The safety arguments as well as the publicity of the Gonzalez case do not appear likely to spur any change in the near term. The Republican platform at the party’s recent convention endorsed the Cuban Adjustment Act and blamed the safety problems on the Castro government, not US policy.
The Democrats have been less direct, simply pushing for the party to “continue to press for human rights, the rule of law and political freedom” in Cuba. < Back | Next > Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. |