Posted on 12/17/2005 1:57:53 PM PST by FairOpinion
The number of Cubans intercepted at sea while trying to reach the United States is at its highest level since tens of thousands took to the Florida Straits on makeshift rafts and in small boats in the 1994 exodus sanctioned by President Fidel Castro.
The sharp rise - and an increase in clashes between would-be immigrants and the Coast Guard - are inflaming tensions over a policy enacted in response to the 1994 migration that allows Cubans without visas to stay if they reach American soil but turns back those caught at sea.
The "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which does not apply to any other immigrant group, is being blamed by critics for at least 39 deaths this year in the Florida Straits and is testing the resolve of the Coast Guard, which the critics say has become too aggressive in enforcing the restrictions.
In offering a permanent escape to Cubans who make it here, they say, the policy encourages them to risk their lives.
Coast Guard data show that as of Friday, 2,683 Cubans had been intercepted at sea this year, nearly double the amount for all of 2004. And while the high season for migrant crossings, when the sailing tends to be smoothest, is already past, scores have kept trying the journey despite the perils.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
They should go back to the way it was before Clinton came up with the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, treat the Cubans as refugees, since that's what they are, and allow them to stay.
Sending them back to Cuba is inhuman.
All those who worry about the "inhuman" treatment of terrorists, don't seem to have any problem in sending people back to Castro's inhuman regime.
Are you still doing the Cuba pings?
Don't you know that Cuba is a paradise. Why would they want leave. They are just being misled by Bush.
Cubans enjoy a ridiculous double standard in terms of treatment.
Wet feet and wet backs are all the same to me--illegals. If that seems inhuman, I'm sorry, but I still believe in the rule of law even though the gummint apparently does not.
You have to distinguish between the Cuban refugees, who are coming here LEGALLY, see Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, and those who walk across the border, who are NOT escaping political prosecution, they just come here illegally.
The difference is being against ALL immigration, including LEGAL one, vs. being against ILLEGAL immigration.
"I still believe in the rule of law "
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Well, then you have to recognize the difference between LEGAL immigration and ILLEGAL one.
Send them back with guns.
We should accept as many Cubans as want to come here, in fact send them ALL here and let Castro rule an empty country.
It's different if they're fleeing an oppressive Communist dictatorship. Mexicans just come here because their country is poor.
Mexico needs to solve it's own economic problems and not foist their population off on us. Cubans should be given asylum here.
Send them back with guns.
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You know, I'd think it would be a great idea to create a charity that supplied arms to oppressed people around the world. Bet government wouldn't like that... (ours and theirs)
I'm all for arming them and sending them back to Cuba to "liberate" the island by any means possible.
They tried it once, when President Kennedy promised them help, then left them high and dry.
Kennedy betrayed the Cuban exile force.
Mexico is approx the tenth richest country on earth.
Ditto that.
Cubans should be allowed here pure and simple. We took in thousands (millions?) of Eastern Euros fleeing Communism...this is no different.
That said, I agree with another poster who says that the US should have more aggressive policy of removing the commie cadavers ruling by fear in Cuba.
Fidel needs to bring Dan Rather in to go around to all the cities and towns in Cuba telling the people how much better off they are in Cuba than if they were to flee to the US.
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