Most Cubans on floating truck turned down for U.S. visas

[Judi Lynn]

Most Cubans on floating truck turned down for U.S. visas

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press



HAVANA — The Cubans who converted a pickup truck into a boat in an illegal attempt to reach Florida said Monday their attempts to emigrate legally had failed as well.

So far, 10 of the 12 people in the group that made the unusual and well-publicized attempt to reach American soil have been turned down for U.S. immigration visas, the passengers on the floating boat said, showing copies of their rejection letters.

"The letters began to arrive last week," Isadora Hernandez, wife of Luis Grass, owner of the floating green 1951 Chevy pickup, told The Associated Press. (snip)

A call to the U.S. Interest Section Monday evening reached a recording that said the American mission was closed for the day. But the message in the official letters was clear:

"Unfortunately you do not meet the necessary requirements to be processed under the current regulations," said the Spanish-language form letter from the mission's Refugees Program. (snip/...)

http://www.naplesnews.com/03/09/florida/e17682a.htm

[Soloflecks]

1. I knew they were going to get screwed.

.

[Mika]

2. They just made my point

As I have pointed out on several occasions, many of the Cubans who arrive in the US illegally and get to stay under the 'wet foot/ dry foot' US immigration policy for Cubans only, are not eligible for a LEGAL visa from the US. The US offers 20,000 immigration visas to Cubans every year. Not all are applied for.

The 'wet foot/ dry foot' US immigration policy, and the Cuban Adjustment Act, permits any Cuban to stay in the US NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD MIGHT BE - as long as they touch US shores.

Had these truck/rafters, who had recklessly endangered a small child, made it to US shore they would have been allowed to stay (and not have had to pass a background check required for ALL immigration applicants), despite the fact they they did not qualify for a legal visa.


Its time to normalize relations with Cuba and end the insane 'wet foot/ dry foot' US immigration policy, and the Cuban Adjustment Act.

[realFedUp]

3. but did they deliver those cheap drugs?

:-)