Congressmen Seek Safety for Dissident Cubans Caught at Sea

[Judi Lynn]

Congressmen Seek Safety for Dissident Cubans Caught at Sea
by Holly Hickman Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 31, 2003




MIAMI (AP) - Three Republican lawmakers urged the Bush administration Thursday to admit 19 Cuban migrants intercepted at sea, calling them dissidents who could face retribution if returned to the island.
A letter written by U.S. Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the group was at "risk of persecution" by the Castro government.

"If they are returned, the 19 face retaliation and imprisonment by the Cuban dictatorship," the letter said.

The migrants' boat was stopped about 40 miles north of Havana on Monday, Coast Guard Petty Officer Danielle DeMarino said. The group was still being held at sea Thursday aboard a Coast Guard cutter, DeMarino said.

Barbara Gonzalez, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would not discuss this specific case but said that anyone who claims fear of persecution may speak with an asylum officer aboard a cutter while still at sea. Cases are evaluated individually, Gonzalez said. (snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGA1A9NMTID.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Read Novak's last column

It seems as if the Florida Cubans are a little perturbed at this administration they helped to install in the White House.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030731.shtml

Edit: sp

[JohnKleeb]

2. and guess whos trying to woo them

Lieberman yep

[bluestateguy]

6. Bill Clinton won 40% of the Cuban vote in 1996

Dole was ruined in Florida as a result.

[expatriot]

3. how about this slogan, Red Scare Republicans...

"Regime change from within begins with the dissidents staying home."

I, as I think most people who have a problem with this Cold War era Cuban asylum policy, am not against these desparate Cubans who are fleeing their island for a lack of economic opportunity, it is just the hypocrisy of those who do not see that the Cubans are coming over here for the same reason that Mexicans and Guatemalans are dying in our deserts.... ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY...

[rudeboy666]

4. I agree 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...but you have to admit that a DU forum would not be possible in CUBA(either the gov or 'revolutionry guards' would shut this MF down!)

Fascism is Fascism.

[Mika]

5. You're making shit up

"but you have to admit that a DU forum would not be possible in CUBA(either the gov or 'revolutionry guards' would shut this MF down!)"

Pure red scare era fantasy

Cuba, in total, is like a DU forum -but in action.