President Clinton Defends New Policy on Cuban Refugees

Strategic Insights -

President Clinton defended his new policy of detaining refugees from Cuba rather than releasing them into U.S. communities, arguing that Cuban President Fidel Castro is trying to export the political and economic crisis he has created. The policy aims to curb the flight of Cuban refugees, who have been landing en masse on Florida shores. Clinton also announced further efforts to halt the Cuban refugee crisis, including seeking United Nations' condemnation of Cuba's human rights violations and limiting the amount of money Cuban-Americans can send back to their families in Cuba.

Key Takeaways:

  • The policy announced by Attorney General Janet Reno aims to curb the flight of Cuban refugees, who have been landing en masse on Florida shores.
  • Approximately 7,000 Cuban refugees have made the trip to the United States during all of 1994, with nearly 2,000 crossing the Florida Straits since Monday alone.
  • Cuban refugees intercepted at sea will be brought to the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where they will be held along with up to 10,000 other Cuban refugees.
  • The U.S. government will detain, investigate, and prosecute Americans who attempt to assist the Cuban refugees by picking them up at sea.
  • President Clinton hopes to limit the amount of money Cuban-Americans can send back to their families in Cuba and increase U.S. radio broadcasts to the island.
  • Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles has requested a national emergency declaration, which Clinton is reviewing.
  • The president also called for a reduction in U.S. charter flights to Cuba and increased pressure to halt the current outflow of refugees.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 7,000 Cuban refugees have made the trip to the United States during all of 1994.
  • Nearly 2,000 Cuban refugees have crossed the Florida Straits since Monday alone.
  • Up to 10,000 Cuban refugees will be detained at the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
  • 86 Immigration and Naturalization Service agents are being reassigned to Key West to handle the wave of refugees.

Sources:

  • Associated Press, "Clinton Defends Cuba Refugee Policy," Washington Post, August 19, 1994.
  • Reuters, "Clinton Announces New Cuba Refugee Policy," Los Angeles Times, August 19, 1994.
  • White House Press Release, August 19, 1994.