Cubans Lose Sea Gamble for US

[El Presidente]

Cubans lose Sea Gamble For US

By Circles Robinson

Full Havana Times Article

HAVANA TIMES, May 10 — Over three dozen Cubans in three different vessels were captured at sea by the US Coast Guard as they came up short trying to take advantage of the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act that favors Cuban immigrants over all other nationals.

Reports were filed Monday by UPI and the Miami Herald, which said the Cubans would all be returned to Cuba, but some would go to the US Naval Base at Guantanamo (occupied Cuban territory), most likely for further interviews.

Potential Cuban immigrants have to touch US soil or they get sent back to start. The 1995 revision of the Cuban Adjustment Act —popularly known as the Wet Foot, Dry Foot law— graphically describes the way it is enforced.

According to the Coast Guard, the ones that got the closest to US soil was one group of five men who made it within five miles of Key West when they were nabbed on May 2. The authorities said another group of five Cubans was captured 15 miles from Key West on May 5. In between, 26 Cubans and their three smugglers were halted on May 4 by the Coast Guard at an undisclosed location.

The US law entices Cubans seeking greener pastures to take to the Caribbean Sea in rickety vessels or smugglers speed boats with the hope of landing on US soil which in most cases grants them a fast track to permanent US residency.

[cigcars]

Somebody pointed out to me years ago that the only Cubans escaping from Castro's island are the ones who are already pretty prosperous, and just want MORE money. Remember the Cuban who flew his plane out of Cuba and to the US? A PLANE!? He already HAD money, this individual pointed out. He said you don't see any skinny Cubans who look like they're starving who are trying to leave. It truly gave me pause for thought. It does comfort my heart to see the comments of our fellow westerners on this side of the hemisphere who don't have a baby over the word "C-o-m-m-u-n-i-s-m!" It's true I'd prefer to decide how much of something I NEED, as opposed to its being decided for me, but I don't have to get emotional about it like some folks do. The types of dirt bags our countries have supported in the name of stopping "C-o-m-m-u-n-i-s-m" makes one's stomach churn, and all they were, like Baptista the "Butcher" as he was known in Cuba before Fidel, was somebody who wouldn't think of going to the bathroom without Uncle Sam's permission.

[reg]

thats one hell of a law...

[El Presidente]

Somebody pointed out to me years ago that the only Cubans escaping from Castro's island are the ones who are already pretty prosperous, and just want MORE money. Remember the Cuban who flew his plane out of Cuba and to the US? A PLANE!? He already HAD money, this individual pointed out. He said you don't see any skinny Cubans who look like they're starving who are trying to leave.

It breaks down like this if you want to leave:

*If you have relatives with money, you get a work invitation to that country, process the paperwork (5 months) and you don't come back (Legally you must return within 11 months).

*You can save, borrow or steal 1500 CUC (1800 USD Approx). 2am high speed boat of differing quality to US or Mexico from a designated last minute location. If you make land you are on your own. If you are caught you are sent back and you can save, borow or steal the 1500 CUC to try again. These boats can take from 8-20.

*400 CUC gets you a leaky row boat a set of oars , a makeshift sail and a "good luck"

* 15 CUC and a ton of courage gets you a tyre tube or buoyant piece of polystyrene, a paddle and sometimes a make shift sail.

I know people who have done at least one of these and in some cases more. Desperation as opposed to wealth is the common denominator. In each case you can not return for 5 years which means you leave behind family and friends.