Posted on 03/22/2005 6:01:39 AM PST by kellynla
MIAMI -- A Cuban family that twice tried to reach Florida with vehicles converted into boats has made it to Miami, this time coming overland via Mexico from Costa Rica, the family's lawyer said.
Luis Grass, his wife Isora Hernandez and their five-year-old son Angel Luis Grass Hernandez, entered the U.S. though the Texas-Mexico border on March 12.
They were held in custody in Brownsville, Texas until Sunday. They traveled to Miami on Monday after being released on parole for humanitarian reasons. They will be allowed to apply for permanent residence in 2006.
The Grass family's voyage to America began in 2003 when they and others tried to cross the Florida Straits aboard a bright green 1951 Chevy pickup, which Luis Grass had converted into a boat. They were intercepted by the Coast Guard and sent back to Cuba. The Coast Guard then sunk the Chevy-boat.
Under U.S. immigration policy, Cubans who reach U.S. shores generally are allowed to stay while those caught at sea are usually returned.
In February 2004 Grass made a second attempt to get to the United States illegally -- this time aboard a floating Buick sedan powering another homemade boat.
Again, they were intercepted. This time the Grass family was taken to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo and the other would-be migrants aboard the Buick were returned to Cuba. The Buick was sunk.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
I can almost be convinced that someone with that much gumption, perseverance and imagination should automatically be granted US Citizenship.
Guaranteed, this family will be productive citizens.
Welcome to America. Proud to have you here.
If that contraption doesn't embody the spirit of America, I don't know what does.
He's with his "real" Dad, Fidel.
Ask Aunt Janet Reno, she knows.
Ping
I agree whole heartedly. Too bad we can't work out an exchange program. For every person that really wants to be here we can deport one of the hate America first crowd.
Ingenuity and perserverence. I thought they should have allowed them to pursue citizenship back when they sank the truck.
They finally picked up on the fact that the porous Mexican border was much easier than converting trucks into boats.
Can we have Bedea Benjimin trade citizenships with them. I remember the man stating that he was determined to get here even after getting caught with the truck/boat and I'm glad he finally made it.
Actually, I wish the USCG would have kept the truck and the car for some sort of "Immigrant to Freedom" Museum.
It would look great in the Smithsonian.
Excellent Idea!
The Castro/Communist loving jerks from Academia and society -- should all be rounded up and exchanged for any Cuban wishing to leave Castro's "paradise" and come to America...
Talk about a "win/win" scenario!
Castro gets rid of his malcontents, and we do the same!!!!
Semper Fi
Not to belittle these freedom loving Cubans...but what does it say about our porous southern border with Mexico...."
everybody welcome...Al Quida...move to the front of the line"
I recall one of the trucks. I thought it was amazing. To think he braved open sea in two.
I hope Mr. Grass finds his dream here. If I was President, at least one of those trucks would be dredged up and placed in the Smithsonian. Made me sick when the Coast Guard sank it.
It was ingenious, from what could be seen of it.
This guy should see about getting onto Discovery Channel's Monster Garage. America needs more people like him.
http://www.tvtome.com/MonsterGarage/
Too bad that beautiful 1-ton early-'50s Chevy truck they used is now resting on the bottom of the ocean. As I said at the time, these people should be let in, just on general principles, as they are obviously innovative and intelligent people (the kind we WANT to come here).
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