Speech #890315009

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this legislation which will provide a means whereby the Cuban refugees in the United States may adjust their present immigration status in order that they may acquire the status of a lawfully permanent resident alien. It is now a matter of history that in January 1959 Fidel Castro commenced operations by a revolt which soon was revealed in its true colorsa Communist seizure of one of our neighboring independent countries. Those Cubans who could. immediately began to flee from their native country to the United States to seek a refuge from Communist oppression. For about 2 years they were able. as far as the U.S. law was concerned. to obtain permanent immigration visas from the U.S. consul in Cuba with which they could come to the United States for permanent residence. Some came with visitors visas and have since remained here. On January 3. 1961. the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba and there were no longer available U.S. consuls to whom they could apply for visas whether permanent or temporary. The Cubans continue to flee to the United States in every variety of transport. In the fall of October 1962 commercial air flights from Cuba were suspended making it even more difficult for them to come here. When the President approved the act of October 3. 1965. he announced that special provisions were being made to accept Cubans in the United States who were seeking asylum. Shortly thereafter a special airlift was inaugurated by which Cuban refugees were able to be brought to the United States. However. those who came. and are still coming. totaling at present approximately 170.000. now in an indefinite and nonpermanent status. find themselves in the position. technically. of being visitors who have remained longer than the period for which their visitors visas were issued. or in a position of parolees without any semblance of permanent residence or even the appearance thereof. As a result. many highly skilled Cuban persons are. by virtue of various State laws. unable to practice their skilled professions because of requirements relating to permanent residence or even U.S. citizenship. You know that the United States has expended and continues to spend. vast sums of money to care for these and the other classes of impoverished homeless people from Cuba. Why have they not been able. heretofore. to adjust their status in the United States and thus acquire permanent residence? The answer is simple: under a provision of law in effect for many years. a native of Cuba. as are natives of other adjacent islands and the contiguous territories. is ineligible to adjust his immigration status in the United States. The only means now available for them is to leave the United States. go to some foreign country and apply to a U.S. consul stationed abroad for an immigrant visa with which they can return to the United States and be admitted as permanent residents. Even to suggest such a necessitous procedure for the Cuban refugee is absurd on its face. Obviously. they have been deprived of every worldly possession by Castro and his Cuban gang. They simply do not have the money to take a trip abroad with their families to acquire an Immigrant visa. The situation is even more striking when it is recalled that a native of Cuba is a "special immigrant" under the law and is not subject to the numerical limitations contained in the law applicable to natives of other countries. The legislation now before this body would permit a Cuban to apply for adjustment of status in the United States without leaving this country. There is nothing automatic or mandatory about the process. It is strictly permissive and the adjustment of status will be discretionary with the Attorney General. Acquisition of permanent residence status by those who apply and are granted this privilege would place them in a position ultimately to acquire the necessary years of residence in the United States which is a prerequisite to naturalization as a U.S. citizen. It seems crystal clear to me. and I am sure to all of you. that enactment of this bill will be of the highest benefit not only to the Cuban refugee concerned but. even more important. to the national interest and welfare of the United States. Every Government agency. including the Departments of State. Justice. and Health.