Solving the Illegal Immigration Issue

Path to Better U.S. Cuba Relations: Solving the Illegal Immigration Issue

From its inception, the United States has been viewed as a symbol of freedom, opportu-nity and wealth by many who are being oppressed in their home countries. Conversely, Cuba has a long history of poverty, high levels of unemployment and shortages of basics that create a life of hardships for a majority of its citizens. Due to the 90 mile proximity of the two countries, many Cubans attempt to illegally immigrate to the United States to improve their lives, the lives of the family members they left behind or escape the repressive laws that limit their freedom, including the ability to freely leave the country. This desire of Cuban citizens to risk their lives to flee their home country in the hopes of reaching the United States has had several impacts on U.S. and Cuban relations and will continue to do so in the future unless policy changes are made on both sides of the table.

History & Causes of Illegal Immigration

The main reason for immigration from Cuba has been Fidel Castro and his guerrilla forces taking power of the government in 1959. During his nearly 50 year reign as Cuba’s president, the country has remained a repressive police state, putting people in jail for things that we in the United States are protected against, like speaking against the government. Although Castro has made accomplishments in areas such as free health care and education, the country has not prospered or created opportunity for its citizens. There is limited housing, employment and resources, low salaries, high prices, inefficiencies in basic services, and travel abroad has strong restrictions (Acosta, 2006). If a Cuban citizen tries to leave Cuba without permission from the government, it is a criminal offense and he or she can be punished with serving time in prison. Permission to leave is not given easily and many times not granted at all. For example, if you are a doctor that Cuba has...