Three U.S. senators have criticized President Joe Biden for reactivating certain types of non-immigrant visas (NIV) in Cuba. The Republican senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida, along with Ted Cruz of Texas, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, arguing that the recent expansion of services at the U.S. Embassy in Havana benefits only the Cuban regime and jeopardizes U.S. national security.
"Instead of forcing the Cuban dictatorship to end its human rights abuses and bring democracy to the island, the Biden-Harris administration has merely sought opportunities to appease the regime and restore diplomatic relations," the letter states.
"We see no other reason to expand national visas to Cuban individuals, and no justification that such action serves U.S. interests," the senators added.
The lawmakers argue that the expansion of NIVs will benefit members of the elite and ruling class in Cuba, where those close to the regime have opportunities denied to the majority. As a result, it is highly likely that those receiving these visas will have good relations with the government. Additionally, conducting proper vetting of potential NIV recipients will be nearly impossible due to the regime's lack of transparency.
The senators reminded that the U.S. government had previously introduced a parole program that allowed high-ranking regime officials and members of the State Security to reside in the United States. "The Biden-Harris administration halted this program only after widespread reports of fraud and abuse, demonstrating our inability to properly vet individuals coming from the island," the letter details.
They also criticized the exclusion of Cuba from the list of countries not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts, alleging that the decision was made to placate the regime, "which continues to harbor terrorists and American fugitives."
"The administration has also allowed officials from this terrorism-sympathizing regime to access secure facilities in U.S. airports, endangering the welfare of our citizens and security measures," the document adds.
FAQs on U.S. Senators' Criticism of Biden's Visa Policy in Cuba
The following questions and answers provide additional insights into the U.S. senators' criticism of President Biden's decision to reinstate certain non-immigrant visas in Cuba.
Why are the senators against reinstating non-immigrant visas in Cuba?
The senators argue that the reactivation of these visas benefits the Cuban regime and jeopardizes U.S. national security. They believe it helps the elite and ruling class in Cuba and makes proper vetting of visa recipients nearly impossible.
What concerns do the senators have regarding national security?
The senators are concerned that the lack of transparency in the Cuban regime makes it nearly impossible to properly vet visa recipients. They also cited past issues with a parole program that allowed high-ranking regime officials to reside in the U.S., which was halted due to widespread fraud and abuse.
How does the exclusion of Cuba from the counterterrorism list play into this?
The senators claim that removing Cuba from the list of countries not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts was done to appease the regime, which continues to harbor terrorists and American fugitives.
What actions has the Biden administration taken that the senators find problematic?
The senators are critical of the administration's decision to allow Cuban officials access to secure facilities in U.S. airports and its overall approach to restoring diplomatic relations with the Cuban regime without addressing human rights abuses.