Cuban Doctors Awaiting US Response

[Bacchus39]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070203/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_cuban_defectors;_ylt=AngVi4E1cj1BAyfzalvmaYC3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

BOGOTA, Colombia - At least 38 Cuban doctors who defected from a mission in Venezuela have been stranded for months in Colombia, where they have been refused refugee status as they await word on possible asylum in the United States, according to a relief organization.


The doctors find themselves here despite a shift in U.S. policy, announced in August, that allowed Cuban medical personnel working abroad to come to the United States once they passed routine background checks.

Most of the defecting doctors who fled to Colombia have been waiting as long as six months for a response, according to an advocacy group in Miami and several doctors who spoke to The Associated Press. At least two have been rejected by U.S. officials.

Jorge Toledo, a 39-year-old physician, and his wife, ophthalmologist Leticia Viamonte, were told in a Dec. 27 letter that their request to enter the United States under the Cuban Medical Professional Parole program was denied. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter. The decision cannot be appealed.

[Dr.Phool]

1. I guess they first have to start out as illegals

And then get the wet foot-dry foot treatment.

This country is run by morans.

[harpboy_ak]

15. The word is MORON

This country is run by morans.

Why do so many people misspell MORON? Over the past several years this idiotic misspelling has spread across the internet like a virus. Ir's as annoying as the Repuke use of Democrat as an adjective.

MORAN is not a word. The DU spell checker flags it as a misspelling.

The word is MORON.

[Mika]

16. Its a joke.

From a Freeper gathering.

[Mend]

19. think of this freeptard calling us "morons" and misspelling it "morans"

the irony is delicious and I don't it will ever die. It says it all.

[SayWhatYo]

45. It's one of those internet meme things, aye?

Although, I suppose it extends outside the realm of the internet. However, I've only seen it on the political geared websites, or political discussions.

[otohara]

2. Hang In There - Two More Years

when a democratic president is in office.

[Say_What]

3. Let them go through the process all other refugees and immigrants have to go through... n/t

[Bacchus39]

4. I wonder why they would want to leave the paradise

of Cuba or Venezuela?

[Say_What]

5. Two words:

Economic Opportunity


a no brainer for most :evilgrin:

[gorbal]

27. They would make MUCH more money here

A hospital is too much like a caste system these days, with the ultra-rich doctors sauntering the comfortable preening nurses and the frenetic nurses aids trying to get everything done...well that's just my floor I guess, but still.

[PsN2Wind]

6. Probably like the ballplayers

For the Money!!! Fidel educated them now they'd like to become capitalists.

[Say_What]

8. Precisely!! Brain drain!! n/t

[Say_What]

7. U.S. Cuba Policy Rewards Illegal Immigration

<clips>

...Policy Issues

FAIR has long advocated an end to the discriminatory policy for Cubans and has so testified before Congress. The policy changes we have advocated include removal of the Cuban Adjustment Act and rescinding the parole policy that is currently used to implement the 'wet-foot dry-foot' policy and to implement the Cuban visa lottery. FAIR's policy proposal is not to deny protection to Cubans who are able to establish that they have been persecuted in Cuba or would be if they were returned to Cuba, but rather to require that they apply for that protection and make their case like persons from all other countries are required to do before they can be accorded refugee status.

FAIR is convinced that the vast majority of Cubans coming illegally to the United States are doing so in order to seek greater economic opportunity as well as greater freedoms like other illegal immigrants arriving from other countries who are subject to deportation. One aspect of the problem created by the special policies for Cubans is that illegal immigrants from Cuba can bypass being sent back to Cuba under the 'wet-foot' dry-foot' policy if they travel to a third country and then arrive at a U.S. land port of entry. Under our policy, that constitutes a 'dry-foot' arrival in the country. This is an opportunity that is increasingly being exploited by Cubans smuggled out of Cuba.

The illegal arrival of Cubans in the United States today is unlike earlier periods when Cubans set out to float and sail to Florida in rubber-tire rafts and other make-shift floating devices. Currently the stream of entries is more characterized by organized smuggling operations for profit using high-speed boats. This smuggling operation is facilitated by the automatic payment of a resettlement fee for newly admitted refugees that may be used to pay the smuggler.

Because our Cuban policy discriminates in favor of Cubans it gives the appearance of discrimination against illegal entrants from other countries, especially from other Caribbean islands such as Haiti of Jamaica. This dual-standard has resulted in charges of prejudice against blacks, even though many of the Cuban illegal entrants are black as well.

http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_cuba_policy

[Bacchus39]

9. I believe these doctors are going through the proper channels

in their attempt to reach the US. Is that your take too?

[Mika]

10. The US gov has set up special perks as a lure to Cuban Drs

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01390849.htm

Cuba has 30,000 doctors and medical staff working in foreign countries, but cases of participants fleeing rarely surface in public.

-

Washington, which has enforced an embargo against Cuba since 1962, announced last August that as part of tighter restrictions on Havana it would offer visas to Cuban medical professionals who abandoned their programs overseas.

[Bacchus39]

11. then they can maybe go and make money and make choices

for themselves!!!

[Say_What]

12. Tell that to the thousands of other immigrants/refugees who want to come the USSA n/t

[Bacchus39]

17. the come for the same reason

most of them don't have to defect to leave their country of origin though.

[Mika]

18. As if 38 of over 30,000 Drs is a lot.

Plus, the US offers over 20,000 LEGAL visas to Cubans every year. More than any other single country. Not all are applied for. So your 'they have to defect' story is just that. A story.

[Bacchus39]

20. Cuba has to agree to let those 20,000 people leave too

its not like its random and first come first serve. those 38 doctors had to defect to escape Fidel's grasp.

[arikara]

30. ...escape Fidel's grasp.

:rofl:

I could never understand the terror and hatred that little Cuba inspires within the US.

[Bacchus39]

33. not sure what you mean

these are Cubans defecting. what other options do they have? if they have a "contract" for conscripted service they can't leave, if the 20,000 visas the US grants them are by lottery then there is no assurance that they will get a visa, Cuba may not allow them to leave anyway. So tell me, what is a better option than defecting?

[Mika]

31. Actually, there is a lottery system.

But, you knew that didn't you?


Its the US that sets the bar.


https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/cubaimmigration.html

The special lottery administered by American officials in Havana gives Cubans permanent U.S. residency. However, it has not been done on annual basis since its implementation in 1995. The special lottery is highly sought out since those selected are entitled to a Green Card and work assistance. In addition, their children are allowed to enroll in the public school system. One of the biggest incentives is that in a time period of five years or less they may gain eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship. However, there are some requirements as to who can apply for the lottery. Those applying must be at least 18 years old and no older than 55 years old. They must have a minimum of a high school education and for the last two years must have worked. After winning the lottery, the applicants are required to undergo and pass an immigration visa interview as part of the screening process. The interview is conducted by the U.S. Cuban Interests Section in Havana and the applicant must also submit medical records and any criminal records. The purpose of the screening process is to ensure that they will not become a burden to the United States government. Lottery winners are entitled to bring their spouse and children who must be under 21 years of age.

.... doctors had to defect to escape Fidel's grasp.

:crazy: :rofl:

[Bacchus39]

32. Cuba still has to allow them to leave

just because they get a US visa doesn't mean they are allowed to go. why is that?

[0rganism]

34. most of them don't get automatic citizenship when they arrive illegally, either

If the USA had the same wet-foot/dry-foot bullshit immigration policy for all the other countries in Central and South America, there'd be so many rafts on the water you wouldn't be able to count them all. It'd make the Mariel Boatlift look like a quiet day at the waterfront. And yet, somehow, the tendency of people to leave Cuba illegally with these incentives is taken as evidence of the inferiority of Castro's Cuba.

We hold Cuba to a standard that we would never think of applying to Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, or any number of other places where people might prefer to have the US lifestyle handed to them on a platter for dodging immigration. Just imagine what the southern border would look like if Mexicans were granted citizenship, a huge tax exemption, guaranteed government housing, and so on. But no, they get treated like shit when they arrive, they're deported if they're "discovered" by INS, and lately people in congress talk seriously about building a big fence.

Strangely enough, only the relatively healthy, well-educated people of Castro's Cuba merit our heartfelt concerns. :shrug:

[Mika]

35. Agreed. It is another example of discrimination.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Bacchus39]

38. we can't accept everyone

and I agree Cubans don't necessarily deserve special status, however, those other countries' citizens don't prohibit them from leaving either.

[0rganism]

41. you do know that the US has asked Cuba to enforce such restrictions, right?

In 1995, the US started sending rafters back ("wet foot") and asked the Cuban gov't to prevent rafters from leaving. Part of the rational for the 20000 visas is to prevent more open dock scenarios like the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. Get it yet? The Cubans agreed to help the USA by enforcing restrictions on illegal emigration; it's done in cooperation with the USA. Because the "dry foot" half of our illegal immigration policies with respect to Cuba are more lucrative than going through the legal process, many still try to come illegally rather than apply for the visas which they very well might obtain, and the USA has become leery of accepting as many as before.

If we allowed other foreigners the "dry foot" priveleges we reserve for the Cuban "exiles", we'd be begging those governments to crack down on emigration too.

[PsN2Wind]

13. I think mostly

"make money and make choices for themselves" as to how to spend that money. Lucky them, no student loans to repay, since the terrible system there paid for their entire education.

[ngant17]

21. Cuba is training US citizens in its medical schools

so they can return here and offer low-cost medical treatment to US citizens.

The AMA and the US gov. is not exactly enthusiastic for the program.

If Cuba can allow more skilled doctors into US, under the same idea of offering low-cost medical services to the US poor, I'm all for the idea of letting them in, too.

[Mend]

22. all the Cuban doctors I know, and I have lived in south Florida

for over 30 years and know plenty, are just as into making money as anyone else. One of the guys is my town is going "consierge" which means a limited, pre-paid practice for the rich. He is a good doctor but no saint as far as the money thing. None of the foreign doctors are any better regarding income. Sometimes they do go to out-of -the-way places because there is no competition and people choose American-trained when possible. This is the best country for doctors to earn money and they will say anything to get here.

[ProudDad]

36. And...

fed and housed and supplied their FREE MEDICAL CARE during all of those years they were receiving their education for FREE.

If they DO get in, they're probably not going to like U.S. style corporate medicine.

My girl friend's an Oncology RN with over 20 years' experience and she's about to quit because privatized corporate medicine in the U.S. doesn't allow her to do her job right!!! It's all about the bottom line and they're SOoooo understaffed they just don't have enough time to do it as well as it can be done.

[Mika]

14. Looks like some of them can't pass a US background check.

They must be commies or something even worse.

The doctors find themselves here despite a shift in U.S. policy, announced in August, that allowed Cuban medical personnel working abroad to come to the United States once they passed routine background checks.

-

Jorge Toledo, a 39-year-old physician, and his wife, ophthalmologist Leticia Viamonte, were told in a Dec. 27 letter that their request to enter the United States under the Cuban Medical Professional Parole program was denied. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter. The decision cannot be appealed.

Lesson to be learned from this.. don't trust the US gov on anything related to Cuba.

[ohio2007]

23. Why do they want to leave Cuba/Venezuela ? Fidel educated them

they owe him for what they know? ci?

[Mika]

24. Could it be the Cuban Adjustment Act?

For Cuban immigrants ONLY, the US's Cuban Adjustment Act instantly allows any and all Cubans instant work visa, instant green card status, instant social security, instant access to welfare, instant access to section 8 assisted housing (with a $41,000 income exemption for Cuban expats only), instant food stamps, plus more. IOW, extra special enhanced social programs designed to entice Cuban expatriation to Miami/USA.

No other immigrant group is offered these perks. Only Cubans.


Of course, if the US lets them in they get to skip out on their agreed-to contract for service in exchange for their medical education.

[Bacchus39]

25. think of all the money they can send back to Cuba though

like many other Cubans in the US. they can "pay back" their education in no time. by the way, Cuban doctors would still have to get a medical license in the US and go through a US internship program typically at least 3 years.

[Mika]

26. True, but Bush has put more restrictions on remittances to Cuba.

That includes the restriction that money can only go to direct family members. It cannot go to the government or any Cuban in the government.

Of course Cuban Drs would have to get a med license for which one must get an education to pass the tests, but their education has already been paid for by the universal system in Cuba which, (by coming to the US from their missions in Ven., Nicaragua, etc.), they have reneged on their contract.

[Bacchus39]

28. what is their choice in the matter?

they have to serve don't they?

it doesn't matter that the money doesn't go to the Cuban government. thank goodness. the remittances go to Cuban people who make purchases that greatly aid the economy. The Cuban government gets their share when people buy at the state stores. which are the vast majority of businesses aren't they? a doctor in the US who sends money to Cuba "pays back" their education many times over I would imagine.

[Mika]

29. Their contract was for service, not money.

Their contract was signed with the Cuban Ministry of Health.
Serving in poor areas of the world was their obligation and they knew so when they signed their contract.
They are reneging on that obligation and their signature on their contract.

[ProudDad]

37. Hey, Mika

:hi:

Don't you get tired of these folks who have so little imagination? They buy into the right-wing corporate party line that money is all that matters and just can't imagine ANY other way of doing things.

It gets Sooooooo tiring trying to help them remove the scales from their eyes, doesn't it?

[Mika]

39. Yes. but I don't post for them really.

I obviously can't convince the died-in-the-wool Cubaphobes, but, there's others reading the debunking of the myths and knee jerk responses from those who have to fantasize about a dark and oppressive Cuba because they've never been there. Some of this debunking is done by several DUers who have actually been there or have spent years researching Cuba.

I'm sure that regular readers of DU's "Cuba threads" have learned quite a lot from the DUers who post links to information about what is really going on in Cuba NOW since it is so hard to find real info to learn about Cuba.

[Bacchus39]

40. hard to hear about Cuba from Cubans in Cuba too isn't it?

why is that? any news or chat sites where Cubans can post freely and we can communicate with them from here that you can recommend?

[ngant17]

42. you can start with Granma online

and follow any links there

<http://www.granma.cu>

I have no problem with emails from Cubans.

[rinsd]

43. Here come the screams of traitors!

I think I have figured it out.

Our Fidel lovers are just like "America is the greatest country in the world" people.

Dare show the all is not well in "paradise" and the very challenge to their utopic vision causes them to lash out.

[Mika]

44. How so.

Show, at least, some of the posts that say that Cuba is the greatest country in the world, please.

Please show the posts that say that Cuba is a "paradise".

As long as I've been DUing (since 2001) I have seen none. Please point them out.


Otherwise, add your post to the dustbin full of mewlings of Cubaphobes.