Will the U.S. government ever treat immigrants from other countries the way they treat those from Cuba?
CNN recently reported presidential candidates most recent views on our policies with Cuba. Some have some new things to say, but none have talked about the angle of most interest to members of the black immigrant community.
One of the biggest critiques regarding our Cuba policy – at least among the black community – is that it favors Cubans … and more specifically white Cubans. Blacks from other Caribbean countries with economies and governments as bad as – if not worst than – Cuba’s are not eligible for the sectarian “wet foot, dry foot†policy.
Well Fidel Castro is on his last string, so the U.S. government won’t be able to hide behind their “we hate communism” mask when Castro dies if changes are made in the Cuban government.
If Cuba becomes a democratic state, will the U.S. government’s policy on Cuban immigrants change? If the policy remains the same, how will the U.S. justify their preferential treatment to Cubans? Will the government decide that they can’t justify it and start letting Bahamians and Dominicans over?
RIIIIIIIIGHT …..
Anyway, the current of change during this election seems ongoing. Will we decide that our inconsistent immigration policies need reworking or will we continue business as usual?
Read some of Eugene’s lighter fare at Intelligent Ignorance.
University Update - Fidel Castro - There’s more to this thing than just the Mexicans
[...] Clark There’s more to this thing than just the Mexicans » This Summary is from an article posted at Young Black Professional Guide | The Young Black [...]
August 24, 2007 at 12:29 am
CheoMedalla
I’m not sure I understand the racial angle to the Cuban Adjustment Act and Bill Clinton’s more recent wet foot/dry foot policy for Cuban immigrants.
By all accounts Cuba’s population is only only 20% white (even though Castro’s communist ruling elite IS 95% white and Castro and Raul are themselves white). I don’t believe US laws only apply to white Cubans touching US soil. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
August 25, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Shell
I don’t think the writer meant to imply that only white Cubans benefit from the policy, but white Cubans who have immigrated to America after their privilege status was lessened when Castro came to power are very vocal supporters of keeping the policy in place; have the U.S. governments ear; and aren’t incredibly interested in making the American Dream accessible to non-white Cubans and especially Caribbean’s/Latinos from countries other than Cuba.
Regardless, the emphasis isn’t on white Cubans. It’s on the U.S. government’s preferential treatment.
August 25, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Armando
I agree that US immigration policy favors Cubans, but said policy doesn’t discriminate based on race. We should remember that the US government never extended to Cuba the same help that Haiti received in 1994 to remove its own dictator, Gen. Raoul Cedras. At the time, Pres. Clinton said: “From the beginning, I have said the Haitian dictators must go. And tonight I can say that they will go,” he said.
Clinton said the accord came only after 61 planes with Army 82nd Airborne paratroopers had been airborne to begin an invasion to restore democracy to the Caribbean nation. The troops were recalled to Fort Bragg, N.C.
Foreign policy and immigration policy does not have to be equal for all, but many Cubans would prefer the treatment Haiti received in 1994.
August 28, 2007 at 8:28 am
ETS
Some Cubans might want their government to receive the treatment that the Haitian government received, but I’m sure Haitians wanting to immigrate would love the opportunities Cubans wanting to leave their island have.
August 28, 2007 at 10:41 am
John Harris, New York, NY
Does America have to be reminded that Fidel opened Cuba’s prisons allowing criminals to migrate to America? Need the America populace be reminded of other atrocities having taken place behind the veil of goodwill? False perceptions of reality have deceived the America populace far too long while ignorance runs rampant throughout. While fostering a perception that change must begin with the White House, which is a lie! Change must come from within the individual, the American people and then change will come to the White House, if change is whats needed. Hilary Clinton for president would be the worst mistake America has made in recent years and would spell the end of the Democratic party as a functioning entity. With the American infrastructure deteriorating at an alarming rate with bridges collapsing, cities decimated while the socioeconomic structure devastated by the influx of illegal immigrants and neither the Presidency, Congress or local politicians taking appropriate action to safeguard the American people. Then there are the existing presidential candidates spouting illusionary promises while claiming to or will be something far more than any are capability of providing. Neither the Democratic or Republican parties have anything to offer the American people nor until America takes stock in and of itself will matters continue to degrade to the point of no return. New Orleans is not a one sided issue as Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama would have America believe. Both city, state and federal governments are equally the blame while it is easy to point the finger what did Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia and other cities do to ensure the protection of its citizenry? If the truth be told these cities did little if anything while blaming federal government for its individual shortcomings. Only a fool would believe the garbage being spouted by Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Giuliani and the likes thereof. China is rapidly overtaking America and why? Simply put, China for years had a closed door policy as relates to foreign intervention and involvement until China was secure in maintaining itself as a nation. What is America’s excuse? Why is Congress so inept in its duties and responsibilities while placing total blame on the Bush Administration? Again, only a fool would believe this is the case because constitutionally both Congress and the Bush Administration are equally responsible for mess America is in and can seemingly do nothing to revert things still yet to happen. Lastly, what are we, the people doing to ensure that we, the people have a fair and honest representative in government? Why are we, the people so caught up on gender and ethnicity that we cannot see that racial profiling is an evil destroying America from within? A “NO VOTE†for both Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani is an honest and correct vote anything less would be to further the atrocities befalling We, the people!
August 29, 2007 at 11:52 am