Why Sending Back is Wrong

In my previous blog posts’ I have discussed the wet foot/ dry foot policy, more formally known as the U.S. Cuba Immigration Accord. Under this policy the U.S. can grant 20,000 visas annually to Cubans who hit U.S. land. However, if they are found out sea, the consequences are high. If they are found at sea, the Cubans are taken back to Guantanamo Bay for further questioning. If in this questioning process there is a deep fear of political persecution instilled within them, they are granted asylum but if there is not, it is back to where they came from. Under this accord, U.S. diplomats are supposed to monitor those who are repatriated, however this does not usually occur as a result of the Cuban government stopping diplomats from doing so.

Also, under Cuban law it is unlawful to immigrate illegally, therefore it leaves the option of the Cuban government on how the repatriate will be punished. This leads into the possibilities of torture, harassment, and incarceration. Although it is not a proven fact that this occurs, various factors point towards these occurrences. One, Cuba is a communist nation meaning that the government is completely in power. There is no free speech, people are afraid to speak out against the government as a result of the climate of fear this communist regime has instilled in its people. Secondly, the Government has spy’s living within each neighborhood to monitor any “radical” thoughts, actions or words that are spoken; this then result in the punishment of the people. Therefore I believe that Cubans found at sea should be able to have asylum in the U.S. or another country willing to give them a visa.