They are unable to find work. and many lack even a ration card and basic identification documents. They must live with constant surveillance and social ostracism. Yet despite these conditions. if they were not in prison for more than 10 years. the United States will not process them for entry into our country as refugees. This policy is unfair. It violates Americas proud tradition of providing safe haven for those who are oppressed. But there is an equally compelling argument against it. It has not worked. Since its institution for political prisoners in 1985. and for immigrants in 1986. not one Mariel excludable has been sent back to Cuba. The United States and Cuba are not even talking about reinstating the agreement. Meanwhile. Cubans who desperately seek freedom in the United States are denied the right to come here. Its the very least our country can do to help the victims of Castros repressive system. The second part of this bill addresses the suspension of normal immigration from Cuba and third countries to the United States as a result of the breakdown of the Mariel Agreement. Cubans who are not former or current political prisoners can come to this country only if they are granted an immigrant visa. Because of the breakdown of the Mariel Agreement. however. only two classes of Cubans are now being granted visas. First. immediate relatives of American citizensdefined as spouses. parents. or unmarried minorsfrom Cuba or third countries. 405 such visas were issued in 1986. Second. Cubans who left Cuba before August 22. 1986. and who are in one of the "preference" categories for immigration. 2.065 such visas were issued in 1986. The preference categories are as follows: Preference 1. sons or daughters of citizens who are over 21. Preference 2. spouses or children of legal permanent residents.
Keywords matched
immigrant visa immigration immigrants visas refugees