Tsk -- the Ed Board missed the biggest benefit of repealing the policy: It would explode Marco Rubio's head & (again) send the GOP into ideological wonderland as it tries to reconcile its anti-immigrant policy vis a vis other Latinos (and Syrian refugees) with its need to win Florida in the next election.
16
Of course, if the Obama Admin does take the eminently sensible step of ending this anachronistic, Cold-War policy towards Cuban "refugees," count on the GOP to hysterically oppose it, as they do for everything Obama has ever proposed.
19
No to all immigrants that do not apply through ONE process, one that is applied equally. NO to all economic immigrants that apply as 'refugees.'
But most importantly, I have no understanding of US policies that would allow an immigrant in with the promise of money, free healthcare, HUD housing, etc. Citizens do not get this, nor should they. But as long as the gaping wallet of freebies is open, we will have millions that come. Millions that expect to become dependent and are allowed to become dependent for generations to come. And on top of that, the more babies they have, the more money they make. OUTRAGEOUS.
But most importantly, I have no understanding of US policies that would allow an immigrant in with the promise of money, free healthcare, HUD housing, etc. Citizens do not get this, nor should they. But as long as the gaping wallet of freebies is open, we will have millions that come. Millions that expect to become dependent and are allowed to become dependent for generations to come. And on top of that, the more babies they have, the more money they make. OUTRAGEOUS.
33
If we ARE able to end the shameful and on-going preferential treatment doled out over the years, we should emphasize the "shameful" portion of our long-held policies..........
2
No mention of the fact that every Cuban and, in fact, every asylum seeker, knows full well that they qualify for a host of social services, including welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and subsidized housing, for years, if not life?
Not exactly a formula for getting the best and brightest of immigrants, as Europe has learned.
Not exactly a formula for getting the best and brightest of immigrants, as Europe has learned.
40
This is the classic case of liberals trying to have it both ways. They support all illegal immigration unless it is people who may not vote for for their socialist agenda.
34
The policy toward Cuba has been terrible for a long time. The embargo against Cuba has done nothing but cause innocent Cubans to suffer. On the flip side - the immigration policy has been unfair to most - in favor of Cubans. Tell me all you want about persecution - the reality is the VAST majority of refugees from Cuba are economic - not political as they are made out to be. If a Guatemalen or Hatian or Honduran or Jamaican or Mexican seeking better prosperity gets turned back - so should a Cuban. In fact - the pervasive crime in those countries means many citizens live under more repression than "Cuban dissidents". It's hypocrisy and it's wrong. The Cold War is long over.
27
It's simple.
Cold War over (a quarter century after it as actually over). Normal relations with Cuba, normal immigration policy.
Cold War over (a quarter century after it as actually over). Normal relations with Cuba, normal immigration policy.
30
Nice NYTs Ed Board fantasy - the Cuban government will take back the criminals and other miscreants that they deliberately exported to the United States, I'm sure that will happen.
Seriously, perhaps it is time to curtail policies that favor and expedite Cuban immigration but the NYT is conflating refugees and immigrants. People from around the globe fleeing political turmoil, ethnic or religious persecution are refugees - specifically designated so by the State Department and Executive branch. We extend to refugees special visas, processing and benefits. This something I think we can all support and hopefully expand.
Immigrants are people that want to live in the US for a variety of reasons, including economic opportunity. We should have a policy that encourages legal immigration based on what we need - whether its unskilled laborers, doctors or engineers. The geography and mix of immigrants is set by Congress and it is woefully in need of updating.
The current approach of confusing the distinction between refugees and immigrants pulls on the heartstrings but makes for poor policy. It makes those that want to control immigration appear cold hearted and potentially racist and it those that favor open, uncontrolled immigration look foolish.
Seriously, perhaps it is time to curtail policies that favor and expedite Cuban immigration but the NYT is conflating refugees and immigrants. People from around the globe fleeing political turmoil, ethnic or religious persecution are refugees - specifically designated so by the State Department and Executive branch. We extend to refugees special visas, processing and benefits. This something I think we can all support and hopefully expand.
Immigrants are people that want to live in the US for a variety of reasons, including economic opportunity. We should have a policy that encourages legal immigration based on what we need - whether its unskilled laborers, doctors or engineers. The geography and mix of immigrants is set by Congress and it is woefully in need of updating.
The current approach of confusing the distinction between refugees and immigrants pulls on the heartstrings but makes for poor policy. It makes those that want to control immigration appear cold hearted and potentially racist and it those that favor open, uncontrolled immigration look foolish.
23
'...We should have a policy that encourages legal immigration based on what we need - whether its unskilled laborers...'
The US has no need of more low skilled labor, when our own blue collar workers cannot find jobs.
'...The geography and mix of immigrants is set by Congress and it is woefully in need of updating...'
The current mix is insane, as we import more and more low skilled labor, not including millions of illegal aliens, while our own people descend into poverty.
The US has no need of more low skilled labor, when our own blue collar workers cannot find jobs.
'...The geography and mix of immigrants is set by Congress and it is woefully in need of updating...'
The current mix is insane, as we import more and more low skilled labor, not including millions of illegal aliens, while our own people descend into poverty.
28
Millions of more poor immigrants,sure is a positive for Democrat politicians,who hand out the goodies,but not so great for taxpayers and overcrowded living conditions.
11
The editorial should be calling for an end to Obama's de facto open borders immigration policies (witness the 10,000 unaccompanied minors he let in during the last 2 months alone). He should also repatriate the 34,000 Cubans who have committed crimes in the US as well as the hundreds of thousands of non-Cuban foreigners who have committed crimes. If Obama doesn't secure our borders and start enforcing the laws currently on the books, there will most certainly be a Republicsn in the WH in 2017. Uncontrolled Immgration is one of the hot button issues in the next election, which is exactly why Trump resonates with so many otherwise rational voters across the political divide.
31
Did you not read that the Cuban Adjustment Act was passed in 1966 and has nothing to do with Obama? The reason Trump resonates is his followers cannot read and/or ignore facts because they have a well known liberal bias.
24
Cuban immigrants are presented like escaping in mass from hell while in reality, they only represent 1 to 2% of the total amount of Latin American wannabe immigrants to the US. Even in relation to the country's population Cubans are among the least numerous. The only difference is that they are all accepted once they get to US soil under whatever circumstances. Apply the same policy with regards to any other Latin American country and you'll see what happens in a couple of years to the US: Hasta la vista, baby!
12
After all of the Trump furor, the NYTimes editorial board wants to limit immigration? I am glad the Board is advocating stopping likely Republican ant-communists from coming to our shores. What a great Christmas present to those who flee totalitarianism!
8
The policy should be changed immediately and brought in line to match policies for other immigrants from other countries.
There should be no preferential treatment for Cuban immigrants.
This is fair, regardless of any arguments to the contrary.
Now, our general immigration policy is another story for another day.
There should be no preferential treatment for Cuban immigrants.
This is fair, regardless of any arguments to the contrary.
Now, our general immigration policy is another story for another day.
31
The first thing I said when Obama announced the normalization of relationship with Cuba was that this special treatment for Cuban migrants must end or Cuba would empty out. And that's exactly what happened. It is beyond ridiculous that Obama allows this to go on. His stupidity that was celebrated by the press as "visionary" by the press is now hurting both the US and Cuba. I'm glad the NYT published this much needed though belated editorial. Please keep up the pressure on Obama and Congress to take action before all of Cuba ends up on top of us!
12
While I agree that the rules concerning political exiles need to be made fairer, the obvious fact that this editorial misses is that conditions in Cuba have not improved one bit since President's Obama initiated a unilateral rapprochement one year ago. In fact, things have gotten worse. The Cuban military has cracked down harder on the dissident community and ordinary people are still under the thumb of one of the most repressive regimes in the world. The problems in Cuba should not be blamed on the Cuban doctors who are desperately trying to flee that benighted country.
11
Those of us who remember the Mariel boat lift (when the Castro administration sent many who were unwelcome in Cuba due to actual criminal behaviour: theft, violence etc.z) have long thought that the current policy was based on the myth of Cubans seeking refuge from political persecution when nearly all who came were seeking economic benefits legal or not.
Add to that the myth there is just one monolithic Hispanic community which blindly follows the lead of the aging Cuban community in South Florida in supporting the immigration policy that entitles only Cubans to benefits not available to members of the other Hispanic communities means there is an increasing demand for change.
Add to that the myth there is just one monolithic Hispanic community which blindly follows the lead of the aging Cuban community in South Florida in supporting the immigration policy that entitles only Cubans to benefits not available to members of the other Hispanic communities means there is an increasing demand for change.
21
Another case study example in the long list of instances in which Obama put his legacy concerns ahead of what is in the best interest of the Americans he pretends to represent. When I'd this guy going to be escorted off the White House lawn?
14
Recently, one of my husband's daughters was denied a visa to visit us here in New York. My husband, a U.S. citizen, was born in Cuba. He has not seen his daughters in 47 years. Their mother passed away last year.
He is 76 years old, had open heart surgery last year and has residual heart and other medical problems which prevent him from going to Cuba. Our Congressman wrote a letter in support of granting the visa, and we wrote a letter of invitation and attached tax transcripts to prove we could pay for her trip.
The consular officer who interviewed her refused to look at our letter. Her interview lasted at most a couple of minutes, and after being asked five questions her application was summarily denied. She told us that of the hundreds of people interviewed that day, only a handful were granted visas.
We think our government's "dry foot" policy is responsible for the denial. I have read comments made by the former head of Havana's U.S. Interests Section who said visa applications are routinely denied unless the applicants are pensioners. The burden is on applicants to prove their ties to Cuba run so deep they are unlikely to overstay their visit. There are no specified criteria on how to meet that test, and the decision lies solely with the consular interviewer. Although my husband's daughter had traveled to France and returned to Cuba in the past, she was nevertheless deemed a poor visa risk.
Remember the old iron curtain? We feel we are living behind it.
He is 76 years old, had open heart surgery last year and has residual heart and other medical problems which prevent him from going to Cuba. Our Congressman wrote a letter in support of granting the visa, and we wrote a letter of invitation and attached tax transcripts to prove we could pay for her trip.
The consular officer who interviewed her refused to look at our letter. Her interview lasted at most a couple of minutes, and after being asked five questions her application was summarily denied. She told us that of the hundreds of people interviewed that day, only a handful were granted visas.
We think our government's "dry foot" policy is responsible for the denial. I have read comments made by the former head of Havana's U.S. Interests Section who said visa applications are routinely denied unless the applicants are pensioners. The burden is on applicants to prove their ties to Cuba run so deep they are unlikely to overstay their visit. There are no specified criteria on how to meet that test, and the decision lies solely with the consular interviewer. Although my husband's daughter had traveled to France and returned to Cuba in the past, she was nevertheless deemed a poor visa risk.
Remember the old iron curtain? We feel we are living behind it.
19
'The United States should also end a separate program that encourages Cuban medical professionals on government assignments abroad to defect to the United States.'
The US has been lucky in that the professionals, e.g., doctors, engineers, etc., from all over the world are eager to come here and make a good living and the US is happy to receive them with open arms. And they come from all the poor countries, e.g., India, Pakistan, Cuba, Nigeria, etc.
I guess no one has any illusion that there is a bit of 'stealing' involved in this; the poor countries spend a lot of their tax money to educate these professionals and they lose a lot when these highly people leave their countries for greener pastures.
My feeling is that we should not stop them from coming but shouldn't we be compensating these poorer countries adequately for their loss, e.g., why not pay the country of origin, say $200k for each doctor that emigrates to the US? Wouldn't that be fare?
The US has been lucky in that the professionals, e.g., doctors, engineers, etc., from all over the world are eager to come here and make a good living and the US is happy to receive them with open arms. And they come from all the poor countries, e.g., India, Pakistan, Cuba, Nigeria, etc.
I guess no one has any illusion that there is a bit of 'stealing' involved in this; the poor countries spend a lot of their tax money to educate these professionals and they lose a lot when these highly people leave their countries for greener pastures.
My feeling is that we should not stop them from coming but shouldn't we be compensating these poorer countries adequately for their loss, e.g., why not pay the country of origin, say $200k for each doctor that emigrates to the US? Wouldn't that be fare?
7
No that would not. There is a limited number of people who are smart enough to become doctors in each country. We need to stop hiring doctors from foreign countries period. At the moment we are hiring away so many doctors from third world countries, people from Africa to Cuba to India are dying ever quicker due to lack of access to medical care.
In addition, many of these foreign doctors also received far less stringent training than our own so the quality of care they provide is of dubious quality. Not long ago there was report of a doctor from India who gave many unnecessary surgeries and ended up harming many of his patients rather than helping them. We need to stop hiring foreign doctors, period, regardless of what country they come from. It's amoral to steal doctors from countries that are already hurting for doctors. Train more of our own!
In addition, many of these foreign doctors also received far less stringent training than our own so the quality of care they provide is of dubious quality. Not long ago there was report of a doctor from India who gave many unnecessary surgeries and ended up harming many of his patients rather than helping them. We need to stop hiring foreign doctors, period, regardless of what country they come from. It's amoral to steal doctors from countries that are already hurting for doctors. Train more of our own!
9
th philippines produce vast numbers of doctors, nurses, med techs in all fields, way more than they need
most of them wind up in western countries, making far better salaries than in th pi
recruiting firms travel to th pi every year at graduation time to offer people deals, which usually include placement in a job, an apt, visa arrangements, driving lessons, extra training, application for green card, etc
most of them wind up in western countries, making far better salaries than in th pi
recruiting firms travel to th pi every year at graduation time to offer people deals, which usually include placement in a job, an apt, visa arrangements, driving lessons, extra training, application for green card, etc
1
Why do we want to deprive poor countries of their medical professionals? I just don't understand the logic of taking their doctors through special immigration programs and than having to fund charity programs to send doctors to those countries. What we should be doing is helping them stay in their countries by providing assistance for adequate facilities and access to medical supplies.
18
I'd love to hear Ted Cruz and Mark O'Rubio weigh in on this issue, knowing how they feel about illegal immigration. I'd also love to hear Trump describe what preventive measures he would take (and for the cost of which he would send the bill to Havana).
14
ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU COPY AN PASTE THE ARTICLE BELOW.
This was over a year long investigation by the Florida Sun-Sentinel. It was published in October. It is simply amazing how the Florida politicians on both sides of the isle have kept this quiet from the U.S. taxpayer for all these years. All because of the Cuban vote and the powerful Cuban American Lobby. It is disgusting and sickening to be frank.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
This was over a year long investigation by the Florida Sun-Sentinel. It was published in October. It is simply amazing how the Florida politicians on both sides of the isle have kept this quiet from the U.S. taxpayer for all these years. All because of the Cuban vote and the powerful Cuban American Lobby. It is disgusting and sickening to be frank.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
38
Thanks for the link.Even more depressed,as our country continues to become more of a welfare state.
2
The preferential treatment of Cuban immigrants is a relic of the lingering power of the Cold War Cuba Lobby and Jim Crow American bigotry. The Cuban immigrants have benefited from both politics and being white like Desi Arnaz, Senator Rafael Edward Cruz and Senator Marco Antonio Rubio. Hispanic Latino is a unique American ethnic designation that rests in a Spanish language and cultural heritage that has nothing to do with race, color or natural origin or any combination of those factors. From the end of World War I until the LBJ administration America favored Western and Northern European Protestant immigration.
About 2/3rds of American Hispanic Latino natives and immigrants are Mexican. And they are primarily mestizo, mulatto, Garifuna, African and Native. If any people are to be favored for immigration to America it should be Mexicans. In addition those people who are displaced or made refugees by American military and diplomatic activity should be favored as well.
But eliminating the Cuban preference does not fix a legal American immigration system that is too slow, too costly, too complicated and too inconsistent with American values and interests. But for a significant brown and black native and immigrant Hispanic and African population America would be aging and shrinking due to the white European American majority having a birth rate below replacement level.
About 2/3rds of American Hispanic Latino natives and immigrants are Mexican. And they are primarily mestizo, mulatto, Garifuna, African and Native. If any people are to be favored for immigration to America it should be Mexicans. In addition those people who are displaced or made refugees by American military and diplomatic activity should be favored as well.
But eliminating the Cuban preference does not fix a legal American immigration system that is too slow, too costly, too complicated and too inconsistent with American values and interests. But for a significant brown and black native and immigrant Hispanic and African population America would be aging and shrinking due to the white European American majority having a birth rate below replacement level.
7
The demographers' favorite lies have now become "facts". The fear mongering drummed up by these demographers is what's causing Europe to embark on their suicidal journey of rampant immigration from Islamic countries, turning them into Eurabia, increasingly fractious, crime ridden and in debt due to the immigrants' reliance on welfare. That is exactly where the US is headed as long as we keep importing more uneducated immigrants from the 3rd world.
Quantity over quality is *never* a good immigration policy.
Quantity over quality is *never* a good immigration policy.
2
A couple more things we need to do: close Guantanamo prison right now and return the naval base/land to the Cuban people; and lift the U.S. blockade/trade embargo which has been strangling Cuba for more than half a century.
4
Why is it that only the United States is blockading Cuba, yet the Cubans can make business with every other nation on Earth but these nations don't do it? Cuba has been getting tons of cheap oil from my country (Venezuela), why hasn't the Cuban government used that money to improve the living conditions on the island and part of the economy overall? That has been going on for 16 years, why isn't the Cuban government held accountable for this? Isn't it ironic that the argument is that Cuba must rely on the United States to progress? Also, why doesn't the Cuban government pay all of the US assets that were seized during the communist revolution? That would end the embargo immediately. Communist regimes never blame themselves for the misery they put their people through, they always blame the US, exactly what the Venezuelan government keeps on doing, yet the US hasn't enacted any kind of embargo on Venezuela.
It's fun to read a NY Times editorial that's against allowing so many Cubans into the U.S.
What happened to the Diversity thing?! "What America is all about."
Well, it turns out that Cuban immigrants generally vote Republican; whereas Mexican and South American immigrants generally vote Democrat. Therefore, the NY Times editorial board supports more immigration from Mexico, but not from Cuba.
See the difference?
What happened to the Diversity thing?! "What America is all about."
Well, it turns out that Cuban immigrants generally vote Republican; whereas Mexican and South American immigrants generally vote Democrat. Therefore, the NY Times editorial board supports more immigration from Mexico, but not from Cuba.
See the difference?
6
They don't support the $680 million dollars of entitlements from the U S. taxpayers that go to Cubans immediately upon arriving to the U.S. nor do they support allowing Cubans residency in one year because of the Cuban Adjustment Act. Do you?
5
Cuban refugees are getting preferential treatment because of this American phobic fear and hatred of communism. Cuba poses no threat to the United States, but, they are those nasty communists. Make these refugees just like all the rest. Sneak-in or apply, stand in line and wait.
13
Presidential hopefuls should address this when discussing immigration and paths to not being "illegal"
3
Right. They will avoid this subject like the plague. One expects the Democrats to say nothing but the hypocrisy of the GOP is worse. They both have done a good job of keeping it quiet for 40 years.
8
Its time to determine who gets to come and stay in the USA ONLY by what is good for us, already legally here. We need educated people from countries and areas not known to harbor Islamic terrorists as permanent immigrants, and some other people (also not from Islamic terrorist countries) as guest workers for low-pay seasonal jobs.
This means no special treatment for Cubans. It does mean special treatment (deportation!) for all those who willingly came here illegally or came legally and stayed illegally. Note that using a fake social security number makes them illegal.
This means no special treatment for Cubans. It does mean special treatment (deportation!) for all those who willingly came here illegally or came legally and stayed illegally. Note that using a fake social security number makes them illegal.
14
And while I'm at it three totally separate investigations by the Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Please copy and past and you will be amazed.
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/cuban-adjustment-act/loophole/
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/plundering-america/
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
Please copy and past and you will be amazed.
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/cuban-adjustment-act/loophole/
http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/plundering-america/
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
5
To some extent we have this in CA with immigrants from the Philippines. It is long past time to end family reunification policies that put old and young on welfare, while the person in the middle is earning a good salary.
9
Agree with Karen. It's ridiculous that many immigrants are now importing their parents into the country, some receive social security as soon as they arrive.
8
I believe that the Cuban Adjustment Act shouldn't be taken away just yet, because the reason why it was first put in place still continues to exist, that is the Castro regime and its oppressive ways. If you want to eliminate the abuses the law has underwent, then amend it so that anyone seeking protection under the CAA cannot return to Cuba in the next 5 to 10 years, don't grant them federal benefits until they get their work permit and start being useful to society. Closing this door just because others don't have it (when the initial conditions haven't changed, despite whatever romantic vision of the thaw in diplomatic relations people usually have), if you want to help other people, focus on creating favorable conditions for them.
5
If the principle is we should allow free immigration from Cuba because it has political prisoners and/or does not recognize its citizens' full human rights, why exactly should that principle be limited only to Cuba? Why shouldn't we be allowing free immigration from other oppressive regimes like China and Saudi Arabia and Iran?
5
When or if Cuba actually changes then I agree. Perhaps we never should have had this preference.
1
Cuban refugees are following the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty -- "and her name is Mother of Exiles".
I would have liked the US Government to lift the trade embargo, so that all cigar-smoking Usans (= Americans) north of the Straits of Florida may enjoy Cuban cigars at reasonable prices.
I would have liked the US Government to lift the trade embargo, so that all cigar-smoking Usans (= Americans) north of the Straits of Florida may enjoy Cuban cigars at reasonable prices.
The Times' immigration position is counterproductive for the United States. On the one hand, the Times argues that we take fewer Cubans, who tend to be educated and become productive citizens while taking more Guatemalans and Hondurans who tend to be uneducated and contribute less. First and foremost, immigration policy should be driven by what is in the best interests of the U.S., not some vague and fleeting sense of morality to the world.
19
"On the one hand, the Times argues that we take fewer Cubans, who tend to be educated and become productive citizens while taking more Guatemalans and Hondurans who tend to be uneducated and contribute less"
Probably because educated Cubans would tend to vote Republican while uneducated, illiterate central Americans would tend to vote for Democrats in order to get more "free stuff".
Probably because educated Cubans would tend to vote Republican while uneducated, illiterate central Americans would tend to vote for Democrats in order to get more "free stuff".
7
I challenge you to substantiate that statement that Cubans become more productive citizens. As part of the Cuban-related programs, all arriving Cubans are immediately eligible for welfare and other needs based programs - of which many take full advantage of. Check out the numbers in Miami. In contrast, Guatemalans et.al, who come with nothing and have to WORK for what they need to survive, actually tend to become more productive members of society . . .
5
Please read the attachments from DRS to dispel the myth of cubans who give and do not take.
2
The preferential treatment of Cubans is exactly why people from other Latin American countries are not and will not be impressed by the white Cuban-American-Canadians vying for the GOP nomination.
16
Yep. And don't think they don't know about it either.
1
Good luck to any Democratic politician who supports this idea. They're dead in Florida and possibly elsewhere.
3
The Cuban Adjustment Act is supported by the Republicans. Cubans have always been the sacred cow for the Republican Party.
7
Wouldn't a better solution be to apply the Cuban policy to all immigrants? If you get to the US, you can stay and apply for citizenship after a few years. Isn't that what the NYT has been advocating for years? Why should the NYT argue that Cubans should be treated more harshly than they think other immigrants should be treated?
2
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare...
That is only part 1 of an entire section of an investigation which was released in October by the Sun-Sentinel Investigative staff. There are three other sections.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare...
Funny how the Republican party, Rubio in particular, wants to make all these rules about immigration AND the rest as well. And about taking entitlements away from our own elderly and poor who don't even receive some of these entitlements. Yet not a peep about illegal migrants who receive Medicaid, food stamps, disability, welfare, social security supplements, housing assistance and child care aid to boot!
This costs the American taxpayer $680 million a year.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare...
That is only part 1 of an entire section of an investigation which was released in October by the Sun-Sentinel Investigative staff. There are three other sections.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare...
Funny how the Republican party, Rubio in particular, wants to make all these rules about immigration AND the rest as well. And about taking entitlements away from our own elderly and poor who don't even receive some of these entitlements. Yet not a peep about illegal migrants who receive Medicaid, food stamps, disability, welfare, social security supplements, housing assistance and child care aid to boot!
This costs the American taxpayer $680 million a year.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare...
6
I am not opposed to modifying the American policy on Cuban refugees as long as a new policy protects the rights of political dissidents who are punished for their views. The sad part of this editorial is it asks (and expects) so little from the Cuban government which is largely responsible for this mess. The US government should give priority to political and religious refugees regardless of the country that oppresses them.
1
Actually it is the US government responsible for this mess. The Cuban government wants to stop it. And the political oppression argument is an excuse. If they are fleeing from political oppression they would hardly return to take vacation visit friends and family and business trips.
3
"Florida politicians have fiercely fought to protect the special status given to Cuban immigrants, transforming U.S. government assistance from handouts of powdered milk and cheese to a multibillion dollar entitlement.
.
Aid to Cuban immigrants — who are granted immediate access to welfare, food stamps and Medicaid — has ballooned from a $1 million federal allocation in 1960 to at least $680 million a year today.
Cuban immigrants are cashing in on U.S. welfare and returning to the island, making a mockery of the decades-old premise that they are refugees fleeing persecution at home.
Some stay for months at a time — and the U.S. government keeps paying.
Cubans’ unique access to food stamps, disability money and other welfare is meant to help them build new lives in America. Yet these days, it’s helping some finance their lives on the communist island.
Florida politicians have fiercely fought to protect the special status given to Cuban immigrants, transforming U.S. government assistance from handouts of powdered milk and cheese to a multibillion dollar entitlement.
.Aid to Cuban immigrants — who are granted immediate access to welfare, food stamps and Medicaid — has ballooned from a $1 million federal allocation in 1960 to at least $680 million a year today"
Quoted from the Sun-Sentinel investigation unit below which was released in October. The investigation took over a year to complete.
Needs to be repealed
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
.
Aid to Cuban immigrants — who are granted immediate access to welfare, food stamps and Medicaid — has ballooned from a $1 million federal allocation in 1960 to at least $680 million a year today.
Cuban immigrants are cashing in on U.S. welfare and returning to the island, making a mockery of the decades-old premise that they are refugees fleeing persecution at home.
Some stay for months at a time — and the U.S. government keeps paying.
Cubans’ unique access to food stamps, disability money and other welfare is meant to help them build new lives in America. Yet these days, it’s helping some finance their lives on the communist island.
Florida politicians have fiercely fought to protect the special status given to Cuban immigrants, transforming U.S. government assistance from handouts of powdered milk and cheese to a multibillion dollar entitlement.
.Aid to Cuban immigrants — who are granted immediate access to welfare, food stamps and Medicaid — has ballooned from a $1 million federal allocation in 1960 to at least $680 million a year today"
Quoted from the Sun-Sentinel investigation unit below which was released in October. The investigation took over a year to complete.
Needs to be repealed
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/
17
Perhaps Marco Rubio, if he ever gets to the Senate again, or Ted Cruz could sponsor this legislation since they are so concerned with immigration issues. In the meantime, why does a child fleeing a horrific situation in their home town in Central America get treated differently than one coming from Cuba.
11
Problem is most of the major news outlets have hardly any idea of what the Cuban Adjustment Act is and the $680 dollars of taxpayer money that pays for their entitlements. If they do ask Rubio about it I can assure you his response is that they are fleeing political oppression and deserved to be treated differently. The msm will leave it at that. They won't follow up saying that someone who is fleeing a country from political oppression would hardly return back to the country as much as they want for vacations, family visits and business trips. I saw Rubio asked that question and followed up by a local reporter. He looked like a deer caught headlights. The subject was immediately changed.
4
All these people arguing that by taking away the Cuban Adjustment act we will deprive real asylees from protection. First, you couldn't be more wrong, since most Cuban emigrants (including most of my classmates since I studied in Cuba) emigrate for economic reasons, not political ones. Most serious researchers agree on this point. Second, if someone has a legitimate asylum case they can always, always, always, file an I-589 asylum form within a year of arriving. While they wait they can file an I-765 form to get work authorization while their claims are investigated. Once their asylum is granted they can file for residency, like immigrants from every other country. The fear is that most don't actually have any legal grounds for asylum. And if that is the case, why do we need the Cuban Adjustment act to begin with? Remember, repealing this law is not denying asylees permission to come here. It is simply submitting Cuban immigrants to the same level of scrutiny as those from any other country, including the worst regimes on Earth.
I work at an immigration law office. We get dozens of potential asylees fleeing the violence in Central America every day. Why should they be denied status (gangs are considered 'common crimes' and thus not grounds for asylum) while thousands of Cubans looking to emigrate for economic reasons are just let in?
I work at an immigration law office. We get dozens of potential asylees fleeing the violence in Central America every day. Why should they be denied status (gangs are considered 'common crimes' and thus not grounds for asylum) while thousands of Cubans looking to emigrate for economic reasons are just let in?
76
What you are proposing, while logical, will not happen becaues of the "special" importance both parties, especially Republicans, attach to Cuban voters in Florida.
Now, if you speculate that Syrian refugees are coming through Cuba, polticians, especially on the right, will be calling for stopping the boats before they reach US shores. Pass it on.
Now, if you speculate that Syrian refugees are coming through Cuba, polticians, especially on the right, will be calling for stopping the boats before they reach US shores. Pass it on.
8
So you are worried about orderly immigration for Cubans and want to deport them, but support sanctuary cities for everyone from Central America? I don't think the treatment of immigrants is harsh at all, maybe there are some isolated incidents, but on the whole what I've seen is pretty generous.
I would like to see what fraction of illegal immigrants that aren't detained show up for their hearings, which I doubt is very high and thus justifies detention, but what should really be done is we should have a system where illegal immigrants/asylum seekers are processed in a few days or a week and either sent home or given asylum. This would be very fair and eliminate a lot of the "textbook asylum cases". Of course the NYT isn't really interested in fair they want illegal immigrants to be released and then when it comes time for them to be deported they complain about breaking up families....
I do think it's improper to give them special treatment if they come by land via central America since they could have went to any number of other safe countries instead of the US.
"The American policy is unpopular even among prominent dissidents who argue that it has dimmed the prospect of political change." So why doesn't this apply to central Americans?
I would like to see what fraction of illegal immigrants that aren't detained show up for their hearings, which I doubt is very high and thus justifies detention, but what should really be done is we should have a system where illegal immigrants/asylum seekers are processed in a few days or a week and either sent home or given asylum. This would be very fair and eliminate a lot of the "textbook asylum cases". Of course the NYT isn't really interested in fair they want illegal immigrants to be released and then when it comes time for them to be deported they complain about breaking up families....
I do think it's improper to give them special treatment if they come by land via central America since they could have went to any number of other safe countries instead of the US.
"The American policy is unpopular even among prominent dissidents who argue that it has dimmed the prospect of political change." So why doesn't this apply to central Americans?
7
Concur that the time for this preference is long over while not denying the positive impact that over 66 years of hard work, courage and dedication to making a new life has transformed especially Southeast Florida.
While the older, Castro out at any cost, generation dies off, the younger one remains both Cuban and American. They will lead the resurgence in Cuba once Raul Castro and his ilk pass from the scene.
If we are true to our heritage we can screen and check incoming refugees, but they should come from all areas not just a preference for one.
While the older, Castro out at any cost, generation dies off, the younger one remains both Cuban and American. They will lead the resurgence in Cuba once Raul Castro and his ilk pass from the scene.
If we are true to our heritage we can screen and check incoming refugees, but they should come from all areas not just a preference for one.
3
Cubans are a good group/culture, who settle in South Florida easily. They have a built in support system when they arrive. When we fully normalize relations Cubans should have rights similiar to Puerto Ricans.
1
The US acquired Puerto Rico in 1898 as part of the spoils of the Spanish-American War. Cuba became an independent nation in 1902 when the US removed its occupying forces after the same war. Are you suggesting colonization of Cuba?
9
"Congress should repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act," now going on a ripe 50. But Congress won't. The Right wants the Cuban "refugee crisis" on the front burner as 2016 gets ready to show us her wares. Led by Marco Rubio, Republicans continue to remain in a defensive and hostile mode, determined to undermine President Obama's diplomacy. Those historically arriving from Cuba have overwhelmingly swallowed the conservative tonic; Florida remains a vitally important swing venue during the presidential election season. So why do Republicans oppose it? Because they link Cuban arrivals with toxic immigration issues. Both Rubio and the Canadian-Cuban Rafael "Ted" Cruz, now comfortably nestled in Congress, are determined to pull up the ladder. And they continue their service to the aging Cold War warriors who thirst for American-inspired tension in this hemisphere. The cherry on the sundae, of course, is their wish to tie this can on the tail of the Democrats next year, trying to connect the president's foreign policy as a sieve that allows undocumented infiltrators into the country. But it all begins and ends with Cuba. Congress is the dog snarling in that manger.
6
For decades, there have been regimes where the citizenry was afflicted with far worse human rights conditions and economic circumstances than those facing Cubans. It has not made sense for Cubans to have a special pass to skip the refugee vetting procedures for so long.
37
So The Times' official policy preference is that everybody on the face of the planet should be accepted within our borders so long as they can make it here because otherwise their governments won't like us and to protest otherwise is racist and wrong, but Cubans should be prevented from emigrating if at all possible because otherwise Raul Castro won't like us.
29
Not what I read in the editorial...
I suppose you must have read differently, to comment as you have.
The Times has made a timely assessment on what has become, recently, a growing very current situation. There are thousands of Cubans today walking up Central America, crossing Mexico or luckier ones able to catch planes are doing it by the hour.
I suppose you must have read differently, to comment as you have.
The Times has made a timely assessment on what has become, recently, a growing very current situation. There are thousands of Cubans today walking up Central America, crossing Mexico or luckier ones able to catch planes are doing it by the hour.
3
No, it's the $680 million dollars of taxpayer money a year that funds the entitlements Cuban receive immediately upon reaching U.S. soil. Medicaid, disability, welfare, food stamps, social security supplemental income, housing assistance and child care. Entitlements that some of our own elderly and poor who have been citizens all their life don't receive. And the ones that do are trying to have it cut by the Republican party.
3
Perhaps we should begin deporting Cubans. After all, they come from a communist country and underwent little or no screening while sneaking into the USA. Word is, they are now attempting to take over the White House. We should build a wall around Florida to keep them out! This could also prevent damage from rising sea levels without admitting to climate change.
109
I know two Cubans who we refuse to deport to Cuba. One is a multiple felon charged with almost a dozen cases of credit card fraud. The other is a murderer who dissolved bodies in acid in California. Current policies impedes us from sending back even the worst of the worst, like them. So yes, let us begin deporting criminals like we would with any other country.
16
You should really be more selective of the people you associate with!!
3
"American officials are at a loss to explain the special treatment for Cubans, which stands in stark contrast to the harsh way the United States typically treats Central Americans, including minors, many of whom are fleeing for their lives."
I'm so glad you said this. For a long time I've wondered how it is that people fleeing a country because of the horrors of the communist idea get preference over those fleeing a country because they are in legitimate fear for their lives.
According to Wikipedia, Cubans have a 99.8% literacy rate, and while they have apparently no chance to become rich (a Republican ideal), they also have a social safety net that provides health care and food assistance. What a horror!
To be sure, Cubans don't have the hope of a rags to riches success story, (neither do most Americans for that matter) but they seem far, far better off than the mothers sending their children away from Guatemala, hoping they will survive in the north. Could we please stop elevating an idea over reality?
I'm so glad you said this. For a long time I've wondered how it is that people fleeing a country because of the horrors of the communist idea get preference over those fleeing a country because they are in legitimate fear for their lives.
According to Wikipedia, Cubans have a 99.8% literacy rate, and while they have apparently no chance to become rich (a Republican ideal), they also have a social safety net that provides health care and food assistance. What a horror!
To be sure, Cubans don't have the hope of a rags to riches success story, (neither do most Americans for that matter) but they seem far, far better off than the mothers sending their children away from Guatemala, hoping they will survive in the north. Could we please stop elevating an idea over reality?
101
Don't forget: most Cubans are white. Most Central Americans are not. Perhaps that has something to do with how we treat both groups.
18
The U.S. has always taken in those being persecuted for political repression. On the other hand, accepting every economic migrant on the planet is untenable. There is quite a difference.
8
most cubans are not white
theyre mixed like most caribbean islands are
theyre mixed like most caribbean islands are
5
Witness how harshly Haitian immigrants are treated in comparison.
51
How true. Immediately after the Haitian earthquake, Obama went out of his way to say that the US would not take a single refugee and would continue to deport those in the US illegally. He personally picks and chooses which groups of illegal immigrants can stay and which can't.
I am Cuban and I agree with the NYT editorial board. I think it only fitting that the legacy of President Obama's detente with Fidel and Raul Castro is to force Cubans to be stuck in a totalitarian and impoverished island gulag. In fact, this new NYT policy position might be a tremendous motivator for Cubans to force political change in Cuba, by removing the hope of coming to the USA that many Cubans cling to. Seriously, we should have a consistent and rationale approach to legal immigration that is then respected throughout the country and robustly enforced by all levels of government. Cubans should be treated accordingly.
21
>
Yes preferential treatment should be curtailed immediately.
Everyone with a human societal problem cannot move to the U.S. or the West. It is a priori not possible.
At some point, people are going to have to be forced to take the harder route and stay and improve where they live, and yes maybe die in the process.
Where would we be if Jefferson, Washington and their "terrorist" gang fed up with England and the King decided to immigrate to Switzerland to delight all day long on the finest chocolate rather than risk swinging by the neck from a tree? Think about it. The God's gave you a brain employ it.
“Consider any individual at any period of his life and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort”
Alexis de Tocqueville
Yes preferential treatment should be curtailed immediately.
Everyone with a human societal problem cannot move to the U.S. or the West. It is a priori not possible.
At some point, people are going to have to be forced to take the harder route and stay and improve where they live, and yes maybe die in the process.
Where would we be if Jefferson, Washington and their "terrorist" gang fed up with England and the King decided to immigrate to Switzerland to delight all day long on the finest chocolate rather than risk swinging by the neck from a tree? Think about it. The God's gave you a brain employ it.
“Consider any individual at any period of his life and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort”
Alexis de Tocqueville
24
Correction, he Cuban Adjustment Act costs the u.s. taxpayer 680 million dollars a year.
14
This is all because of the Cuba Adjustment Act. Under the CAA , Cubans who get to the U.S. by smuggler boats or thru Mexico legally or illegally are immediately eligible for federal entitlements which costs the U.S. taxpayer $168 million a year, entitlements some of our own poor and elderly citizens don't receive and our trying to be taken away by the Republicans. They are welfare, medicaid, disability, soc sec. Supplemental income, child care and housing assistance. No other migrant from any other country communist or not receive anything close.
But one might say they are fleeing from political oppression and must be treated differently. Thousands of Cubans return to Cuban every year for vacations, visits to family and friends and business trips. One would hardly return to a place they fled from because of political persecution. I was a part of a Sun--Sentinal investigation which was released in October. Google Sun-Sentinel easy money and you will not believe what you are reading Both parties are at fault for allowing this fraud to continue after 40 plus years. Quite frankly it is disgusting.
But one might say they are fleeing from political oppression and must be treated differently. Thousands of Cubans return to Cuban every year for vacations, visits to family and friends and business trips. One would hardly return to a place they fled from because of political persecution. I was a part of a Sun--Sentinal investigation which was released in October. Google Sun-Sentinel easy money and you will not believe what you are reading Both parties are at fault for allowing this fraud to continue after 40 plus years. Quite frankly it is disgusting.
84
Aid to Cuban immigrants — who are granted immediate access to welfare, food stamps and Medicaid — has ballooned from a $1 million federal allocation in 1960 to at least "$680 million" a year today. Not $168 million as I incorrectly stated above.
12
$680 million dollars is what it costs the U.S. taxpayer a year for the entitlements given to Cubans under the CAA. Not $ 168 million which I incorrectly stated above.
1
The hypocrisy in this editorial is startling, even for this Editorial Board. You want unfettered immigration for economic migrants yet real refugees, in the literal sense of the word, those escaping from a totalitarian regime, you would bar because (why is that again?).
PS Don't expect to see this comment published either.
PS Don't expect to see this comment published either.
18
They are not escaping from a totalitarian regime for fear of political persecution.
Cubans are coming here because of political oppression and must be treated differently???? . There are all kinds of arguments against this claim, but one stands out as a very salient rebuttal: the Cubans who come here, illegally or not, can and do return to Cuba for visits and other reasons once they get permanent residency or citizenship. In 2009, two hundred and ninety six thousand Cubans returned to the country. The further irony is that while a former illegal Cuban can go to Cuba if they have relatives living there, a natural born non-Cuban U.S. citizen cannot go. You would hardly return to a place voluntarily if you had been persecuted previously. Cubans Immigrate for economic reasons just as others do
Cubans are coming here because of political oppression and must be treated differently???? . There are all kinds of arguments against this claim, but one stands out as a very salient rebuttal: the Cubans who come here, illegally or not, can and do return to Cuba for visits and other reasons once they get permanent residency or citizenship. In 2009, two hundred and ninety six thousand Cubans returned to the country. The further irony is that while a former illegal Cuban can go to Cuba if they have relatives living there, a natural born non-Cuban U.S. citizen cannot go. You would hardly return to a place voluntarily if you had been persecuted previously. Cubans Immigrate for economic reasons just as others do
8
The great majority of Mexicans living illegally in California also come and go freely. Your point?
1
This is why no Mexican American will vote for Cruz or Rubio. They are hypocrites on immigration policy.
47
Neither one is a magnet to the Latino vote.
Mr. Rubio will get the Cuban old guard of South Floridians, not more beyond that.
Mr. Cruz will be lucky if even his Cuban family votes for him.
Mr. Rubio will get the Cuban old guard of South Floridians, not more beyond that.
Mr. Cruz will be lucky if even his Cuban family votes for him.
1
Interesting, that two of this year's crop of Presidential candidates are children of Cuban immigrants who got preferential treatment, and now they are competing to prove which of them is more anti-immigration.
136
anti-illegal immigration. there's a difference.
4
The Times's fetishistic obsession with pleasing the Castros is becoming bizarre. Obama has already done everything he can to test the hypothesis that if we're nice to them, they will emerge from their totalitarian cocoon and loosen their death grip on power. But as we are seeing with Obama's over the top niceness campaign not only with Cuba but also with Iran, the real world is such that often when we are nice to bad people they continue being bad or worse. To blame the Cuban refugees for the Castros' continuing thuggery is twisted and inexcusable. The wet foot/dry foot policy should remain so long as our close neighbor is still ruled by a criminal cabal.
11
As the Times has rightfully called for the return of art looted by the Nazis in World War 2, the Times should be at the forefront of demanding the return of private property looted by the Castro regime. Those who fled Cuba after the revolution lost everything; homes, property, businesses, and art work. Many never again saw loved ones who were left behind. Ask any Cuban-born American forced to leave everything behind and you will hear heartbreaking stories of loss. Please address this issue in an editorial in the near future.
12
But many could argue those upper class because of the corrupt US supported regime. You forget that MANY Cubans supported te revolution. They just became disenchanted when Castro allied with the Soviets and made a hard turn to Communism.
4
The US only ever made claims on behalf of US citizens whose property was expropriated. Tese claims remain a sticking point for normalization. As a mater of international law, it never did and will not make such claims on behalf of people who were Cuban citizens at the time of seizure. The Russian and Chinese communist revolutions each expropriated a lot more than Cuba. Should we make claims for every now US citizen from those countries?
1
The NYT new found concern for the plight of the countries the immigrants pass through is touching, The concern over loss of human capital in the source country of immigrants is also touching. The blatant racism and the political expediency of closing the door to a group that tends to vote Republican is disgusting and shameful.
13
Wow. The editors of the New York Times WANT Cubans to be imprisoned anew on a totalitarian Cuba, as they were before 1966, for the sole reason that Cuba reacts badly to people seeking to escape its clutches and this might mar President Obama’s legacy.
The Obama administration legalizes millions of undocumented immigrants (unconstitutionally, it turns out) from other Hispanic cultures, but Cuban immigrants without papers are to be repatriated to one of the most closed and tyrannical societies in the hemisphere. And the vast majority of all those other Hispanic undocumenteds are ECONOMIC refugees, while almost ALL of the Cubans are legitimate asylum-seekers fleeing precisely the kind of society we set up political asylum to protect.
A Cuba “emptying out” is exactly the result their government might expect and deserves. If they want to stop the body-drain, let them reform themselves WITHOUT the presumed goad of a paternalistic U.S. making nice-nice but ignoring all the uglies Cuban society still displays.
We have an asylum policy that grants sanctuary to those children and adults legitimately fleeing for their lives from Central American hellholes. But Mr. Obama’s desire to call the Castro Bros. his friends despite their tyranny that remains unabated does NOT outweigh the rights of Cubans to U.S. asylum.
The Obama administration legalizes millions of undocumented immigrants (unconstitutionally, it turns out) from other Hispanic cultures, but Cuban immigrants without papers are to be repatriated to one of the most closed and tyrannical societies in the hemisphere. And the vast majority of all those other Hispanic undocumenteds are ECONOMIC refugees, while almost ALL of the Cubans are legitimate asylum-seekers fleeing precisely the kind of society we set up political asylum to protect.
A Cuba “emptying out” is exactly the result their government might expect and deserves. If they want to stop the body-drain, let them reform themselves WITHOUT the presumed goad of a paternalistic U.S. making nice-nice but ignoring all the uglies Cuban society still displays.
We have an asylum policy that grants sanctuary to those children and adults legitimately fleeing for their lives from Central American hellholes. But Mr. Obama’s desire to call the Castro Bros. his friends despite their tyranny that remains unabated does NOT outweigh the rights of Cubans to U.S. asylum.
22
There is no reason that Cubans should continue to receive preferential treatment which they have received since 1966. Cubans not the worst place in Latin America or even the Caribbean. Haiti and Honduras are worse.
16
Thank you for seeing this editorial for what it is, as well as the sham that is Obama's policy.
4
John:
Honduras certainly is worse, but Haiti is an economic argument and not an asylum argument. Yet we have laws that accept legitimate asylum-seekers, and even if we were to get rid of the preferential 1966 law that favors Cubans, the notion that these VERY legitimate asylum-seekers would be forcibly repatriated to Cuba in order to placate the Castros is outrageous.
Honduras certainly is worse, but Haiti is an economic argument and not an asylum argument. Yet we have laws that accept legitimate asylum-seekers, and even if we were to get rid of the preferential 1966 law that favors Cubans, the notion that these VERY legitimate asylum-seekers would be forcibly repatriated to Cuba in order to placate the Castros is outrageous.
4
I guess preferring Mexicans to Cubans simply confirms you prefer Democratic voters to Republicans. In all of my years of searching for a principle in your editorials I think I get it now. Clever!
21
LOL - In A Presidential Election Cycle? Do you boys remember Elian, and what happened in 2000 (along with the chads)? Maybe, in 8 years from 2016 but, certainly not before then 2024.
Editorial Board - please come out the 'Bubble'!
Editorial Board - please come out the 'Bubble'!
3
"Hopelessness at home"? I won't speculate on why so many Cubans emigrate to the US, but having just spent time there, I have no doubt that hopelessness is the wrong word. The Cubans I met, including quite ordinary people, were well informed about life in the US, very proud of being Cuban and to participate in its socialist development. For example, the voter turnout is reported to be 92%. and even if exaggerated it is telling. Hopelessness is a word that better applies to many in the US.
For a rich and honest account of growing up poor in Cuba, I recommend reading Alberto Rivero, Born To Translate Cuba.
For a rich and honest account of growing up poor in Cuba, I recommend reading Alberto Rivero, Born To Translate Cuba.
52
I don't see why you want the government to toughen up on Cubans while you are, for all intents and purposes, proposing a massive amnesty for all other immigrants. Is it because Cuban Americans tend to vote Republican? Just lump them in under the DREAMers and move on.
27
You are comparing apples to, well, toasters, it is so inaccurate. There is nothing that compares to Wet Foot Dry Foot, nothing.
13
Here the reason is obvious. Those people are already here unlike the Cubans who, if they reach shore, get an automatic green card. That's not fair.
14
You are totally missing the point. Why do Cuban's get the "Golden Ticket" to become citizens of the US while other just as oppressed immigrants get treated differently? My husband just returned from a visit to Havana and yes, life there is not the same as the US but it sure isn't worse than what others experience in other third world countries.
7
I'm really confused - why is it that the NYT is allowed to recommend deportation of so many Cubans, but when Republican's mention anything to do with crime associated with immigration they are labeled as racists? I understand people like Trump have not exactly been eloquent on this subject, but still there is clearly a double standard being ignored here.
36
Nevis07 the Times is not recommending deportation of Cubans. It's recommending changing the law that allows Cubans to arrive here, reach soil, and automatically be accepted and given asylum.
10
I don't believe any mention was made of deporting present Cuban immigrants, just not further permitting the lop-sided privilege of immediately applicable rights to those able to set foot on US land.
7
Nevis, so let me ask you this.
If someone from the Islamic faith with a criminal background came into this country illegally you would be fine with their deportation, right?
So, why do you think we should allow convicted criminals from Cuba a free pass?
If someone from the Islamic faith with a criminal background came into this country illegally you would be fine with their deportation, right?
So, why do you think we should allow convicted criminals from Cuba a free pass?
3
The editorial board is right but Cuba must change radically, rapidly or else every doctor, lawyer, nurse and engineer (and many others) will go elsewhere (if not America). It is further sad to say that these Cuban trained professionals are NOT trained and educated to competitive, global standards. The entire Cuban story of health/education barely holds water and the only hope is for Cuba to send communist packing.
12
There is still a powerful Washington DC constituency with Cold War dreams of overthrow the Cuban regime.
This policy was meant by powers in DC to destabilize Cuba. It still is meant to do that. Yes, it always had support from those who privately benefit, in the Cuban expat community, but that is not what appealed to the Cold Warriors. They used the expats against their enemy.
The US for half a century has offered subsidized medical education to those who agree to be doctors in the military or in under served communities. That represents a huge financial cut as payback.
That is in concept what the Cubans have done, free medical education to people who otherwise could not hope for it, to create a whole medical system around them.
We may feel that the Cubans are overdoing that, abusing it, but the basic idea is something we do ourselves. We are arguing about the margins, not the idea itself.
And frankly, the powers in DC don't care in the slightest about individual Cubans, doctors or otherwise. This is a war on Cuba. If Cubans lose medical care entirely, that is a feature not a flaw to the DC powers. Note they do the same thing to us, don't care about our medical care either, so why would they care about Cubans getting care?
This whole policy, and the whole discussion of it, it distorted by the overarching purpose of destabilizing Cuba.
We can't reach out to build something new in Cuba if we remain mired in our essential hostility.
This policy was meant by powers in DC to destabilize Cuba. It still is meant to do that. Yes, it always had support from those who privately benefit, in the Cuban expat community, but that is not what appealed to the Cold Warriors. They used the expats against their enemy.
The US for half a century has offered subsidized medical education to those who agree to be doctors in the military or in under served communities. That represents a huge financial cut as payback.
That is in concept what the Cubans have done, free medical education to people who otherwise could not hope for it, to create a whole medical system around them.
We may feel that the Cubans are overdoing that, abusing it, but the basic idea is something we do ourselves. We are arguing about the margins, not the idea itself.
And frankly, the powers in DC don't care in the slightest about individual Cubans, doctors or otherwise. This is a war on Cuba. If Cubans lose medical care entirely, that is a feature not a flaw to the DC powers. Note they do the same thing to us, don't care about our medical care either, so why would they care about Cubans getting care?
This whole policy, and the whole discussion of it, it distorted by the overarching purpose of destabilizing Cuba.
We can't reach out to build something new in Cuba if we remain mired in our essential hostility.
51
I agree wholeheartedly, but I'm surprised your editorial didn't mention the basic unfairness of the act. It's unfair to the Haitians, for example. Showing favoritism to a group just because they come from a laughably inefficient (and yes, cruel) communist country isn't fair to other ethnicities who also live under inefficient and cruel countries, but happen to be capitalistic.
121
Odd isn't it?
While Canadian refugee Rafael Cruz and fake son of "exile's" Marco Rubio yammer endlessly about immigration reform they never, ever, discuss reforming or ending the Cuban Adjustment Act.
In addition to the red carpet, concierge treatment at immigration every Cuban migrant is entitled to $19K, per year, in SSI, SNAP, Section 8 Housing and Medicaid. All without having worked one day or paid one penny in taxes. After getting permanent residency, at a bargain year and a day, they, Cuban migrants, can visit Cuba as often as they like. Thee and me, the taxpayers funding this, cannot.
The hypocrisy of Cruz and Rubio, direct beneficiaries of the most generous immigration program in our history and their callous indifference to the hardship all other migrants, speaks for itself.
While Canadian refugee Rafael Cruz and fake son of "exile's" Marco Rubio yammer endlessly about immigration reform they never, ever, discuss reforming or ending the Cuban Adjustment Act.
In addition to the red carpet, concierge treatment at immigration every Cuban migrant is entitled to $19K, per year, in SSI, SNAP, Section 8 Housing and Medicaid. All without having worked one day or paid one penny in taxes. After getting permanent residency, at a bargain year and a day, they, Cuban migrants, can visit Cuba as often as they like. Thee and me, the taxpayers funding this, cannot.
The hypocrisy of Cruz and Rubio, direct beneficiaries of the most generous immigration program in our history and their callous indifference to the hardship all other migrants, speaks for itself.
214
Agree that this should go away; should have been abolished years ago, but why are you attacking candidates for presidency when the current President supports this nonsense?