Speech #1040203791

Mr. President. let me state clearly what this act does and does not do. It essentially allows Cuban refugees who reach United States shores to apply. at the discretion of the Attorney General. for permanent residence status without being forced to return to Cuba. It is not a mechanism to allow more Cubans to enter the United States. It is not an entitlement to permanent residency. It is merely a procedure for those already here and seeking legal status. To repeal this act would give the Castro regime a propaganda victory. but would not measurably affect the number of Cubans reaching America. The ClintonCastro migration pactnegotiated in secret and without congressional consultation--allows over 100.000 Cuban immigrants to enter the United States over the next 5 years. Repealing the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act will not decrease this number. Repealing the act will only send the wrong signal to Castros dictatorship. That is why I. along with Senators GRAHAM. MACK. and ABRAHAM. have offered an amendment that states that the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act would only be repealed when conditions stipulated under the Libertad Act have been met. specifically. that a democratic government is in place in Cuba. A repeal of the act at this time is not in the national interest of the United States. Recent events have demonstrated once again that the Castro regime remains a threat to security in the Caribbean.