White House to End Exemption for Cubans Who Arrive Without Visas

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Thursday will terminate the so-called wet foot, dry foot policy that allows Cubans who arrive on United States soil without visas to remain in the country and gain legal residency, a senior administration official said, in an unexpected move long sought by the Cuban government.

The action, first reported by The Associated Press, will come through a new Department of Homeland Security regulation and an agreement with the Cuban government. Details of the decision were disclosed on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a formal announcement expected later Thursday.

...

Federal figures show that at least 63,000 Cubans moved to the United States last year, the bulk of them crossing the southwestern border on foot. More than 250,000 Cubans have been granted residency during the Obama administration.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/world/americas/cuba-obama-wet-foot-dry-foot-policy.html

Edited January 12, 2017 by elmcitymaven
I'm an idiot.

[Boiler 45,525]

About time

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Agreed -- the policy was a relic of the Cold War that probably wasn't fit for purpose back then either.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Thanks Obama

 

...no seriously, thanks Obama. 

[yuna628 9,676]

Sounds fine to me.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Yup I am on board 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Well, at least Obama did one good thing before he retired.  Glad to hear it.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Wait. I was doing a fly by and thought Trump was doing it.  So petty of Obama. This is clearly payback for so many backing Trump in Fla.. So rude  very rude

[Daisy.Chain 317]

OBAMA Ends the wet-foot dry-foot Cuban immigration policy.

 

I think Obama's doing it for the following reasons:

1) He wants to be known for normalizing relations with Cuba. Apparently he doesn't mind Cuba's brutal dictatorship and ZERO change in that policy, or the US's making unfounded concessions to that dictatorship. (See Cruz's video on Castro's death for a taste). The only thing I know of that has changed in Cuban immigration politics is that now Cuba says they will take back escapees.

 

2) He wants to slap back at Cuban Republicans (especially in Florida) who didn't vote blue. Florida is a key election state, and I think Cubans are the most conservative Latinos who legally vote.

 

However, regardless of what I think his motives are, the action of throwing out this policy does not seem such a bad idea. Moving to the US is a privilege, not a right, and having extreme need should not qualify one for a green card to the US. There is some part of me that wants to say "Yes, those fleeing tyranny should be able to come here," but I can't wholeheartedly champion it.

Now, what I want to know is:
1) Will Trump reverse this (easily done with a stroke of the pen)
2) WHY IS OBAMA ONLY TIGHTENING IMMIGRATION ON THE ONLY LARGE GROUP OF LATINOS (all immigrants?) THAT VOTES REPUBLICAN, WHILE THE "BACK DOOR" IS WIDE OPEN AND HE CHAMPIONS THE DREAM ACT?
3) Rubio's response (as of the two sentences) I have seen two far looked unclear as far as responding to this actual policy, though he is clearly opposed to normalizing relations with Cuba. What will Cruz say?

(Note: 2nd question is rhetorical)

[smilesammich 10,727]

oh obama wants open borders.

oh obama is cutting off potential republicans from entering the us

 

lol..

[OriZ 3,157]

And the award goes to....

 

 

I just thought it was funny

 

 

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

3 hours ago, OriZ said:

And the award goes to....

 

 

I just thought it was funny

 

 

I totally disagree. I think Carter was worse than Dumbo

[OriZ 3,157]

Splitting hairs dude, splitting hairs.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

10 minutes ago, OriZ said:

Splitting hairs dude, splitting hairs.

There is just so much failure and arrogance to digest, I must admit I could be wrong 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Guess who will never be a worse president than Obama or Carter?

 

Hillary

Edited January 14, 2017 by IDWAF