It seems they discovered they get exactly what they pay for.
Posted on 04/18/2008 7:19:12 PM PDT by dynachrome
In an apparent lack of confidence in the leadership of Raul Castro, the number of Cubans leaving the island illegally by sea has been rising, according to U.S. officials.
The number of people attempting the perilous voyage across of the Florida Straits has risen 21 percent compared to the same period last year. The number intercepted by the Coast Guard increased 65 percent.
Since the beginning of October 2007, some 2,891 Cubans have attempted the journey across the straits. While 1,697 successfully reached the United States, 1,194 were intercepted at sea and returned to Cuba.
Nearly ten times the number intercepted--11,488--arrived at U.S. Southwest Customs and Border Patrol land ports in fiscal 2007. That number is likely to rise this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. So far, some 5,500 Cubans have arrived at border checkpoints.
"The numbers continue to rise ; that's the response of the Cuban people," said Michael Parmly, head of the U.S. Interests Section, of the public reaction to the succession of the ailing Fidel Castro by his younger brother Raul. "Why do so many people want to leave the country?"
In an attempt to "fast track" legal migration, U.S. officials have started a family reunification program that will cut delays in processing migrants to six weeks instead of the current 3 to 7 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
Danny Glover should go down to the beach to welcome them in...
Don’t they know about the free health care?
It seems they discovered they get exactly what they pay for.
What? Leaving the best health care system in the world? And free?
How do we know they aren’t emptying their prisons again?
How do we know they aren’t emptying their prisons again?
“In an apparent lack of confidence in the leadership of Raul Castro, “
Nope, Raul is planning to invade Southern Florida. He’s installing his Fifth Column.
Cubans would never move to Florida voluntarily, with its poor, expensive health care and lack of literacy.
“How do we know they aren’t emptying their prisons again?”
Bingo. Calderon sends his poor, tired wretched refuse North, Raul has learned that’s the best way for him too.
I have a feeling that someone from a Cuban prison might not have done anything very terrible to get sent there. It didn’t take much in Che’s time, I don’t know what it’s like now.
My guess is they always wanted to leave, and Raul is being more lax with security. Raul's a bad man, but he's better than Fidel.
Rumors of lifting of the travel ban FROM Cuba.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2003830/posts
I am sure Florida has plenty of affordable housing, plentiful jobs, uncrowded highways, plenty of energy, cheap gas, uncrowded schools and classrooms to accommodate these thousands.
I would interpret such a rise as an indication of a perceived laxity of vigilance.
Perverse. No, I think people have all too much confidence that Raul will carry on like his brother and that the commie regime isn't likely to soon collapse. They aren't waiting for that happy day, the people are leaving.
But just the perversity of this thinking: 'the lack of confidence in the leadership of Raul Castro'? Do these US officials think that Raul is going to turn around the economic conditions in Cuba? Do they think Raul is going to institute reforms and increase the freedom of the Cuban people? What exactly do these US officials think Raul Castro was going to do or will do?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.