When the Mariel Cubans flooded into this country in 1980. they were paroled by the Attorney General for two consecutive 6month periods during the Carter administration. then for an indefinite period of time by the Reagan administration. Many of these Mariel Cubans were sent to us directly from Castros jails. It is no surprise that many of these Mariel Cubans have been convicted of felonies and are in State prisons from California to New Jersey and from Florida to Wisconsin. Clearly the development and enforcement of immigration policy is a Federal responsibility. The decision by the Attorney General to parole the Mariel Cubans into the United States is one for which Senator CHILES and others believe the Attorney General or more generally speaking the Federal Government must bear responsibility. But other questions remain.
Identified stereotypes
Many Mariel Cubans were sent directly from Castro's jails and have been convicted of felonies.