news release
from
BARNEY
FRANK
July, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Adamske 202.225.7141
Frank Introduces Bill to End
Automatic Immigration Status for Cuban Immigrants upon Reaching U.S. Soil
Congressman’s goal is to create a uniform
immigration policy; Open border with Cuba undermines consistent immigration
policy
Washington, DC--Congressman Barney Frank introduced legislation today to end
special treatment for Cuban immigrants. Under a unique provision of U.S.
immigration law, any Cuban immigrant who reaches American territory is in
effect given the right to stay here. Frank pointed out that no other
nationality is guaranteed the automatic right of immigration status and
citizenship. In the debate about immigration, a number of Members of
Congress and others have decried the concept of “open borders,” and have
called for measures to remedy what they believe to be excessive laxity in
our immigration controls. But nowhere in the debate is a restructuring of
the rules that favor Cuban immigrants.
“I do not believe that granting this special status to Cubans can be
justified, and it is certainly inconsistent with the argument of those who
complain that we are too lax in our rules as to who may come to the U.S.
from foreign countries,” said Congressman Frank. “Allowing any Cuban citizen
in effect who can get here physically to gain permanent entry seems to me
wholly inconsistent with the calls for stricter immigration controls.”
Frank continued: “while I strongly believe in the right of people to receive
asylum here in the U.S. if they are being persecuted by undemocratic regimes
elsewhere, and while the Cuban government is clearly a very undemocratic
regime that engages in such persecution of its political opponents, there is
no other case in the world where we now give automatic entry to anyone from
a particular country without requiring that individual to meet the -
increasingly strict - standards for refugee status.”
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