U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., continued to round up support, including a Senate sponsor, for his “Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act” in the U.S. House as members from both parties rallied behind it.
Curbelo’s bill ensues only refugees and asylees from Cuba can enter the Refugee Resettlement Program instead of residents of that island. The bill also directs the federal government to ensure that only residents of the United States are eligible for the program. Curbelo brought out the bill in the middle of last month after reports emerged that Cubans residing in that nation are abusing the federal Refugee Resettlement Program.
Curbelo announced on Friday that the measure had garnered the support of every Cuban-American representative in the House including U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and Albio Sires, D-NJ. Other members of the Florida delegation supporting the bill include Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis and Democrats U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
“Together, we can protect those fleeing the Castro dictatorship while ensuring that America’s generosity is not being exploited and abused,” Curbelo said on Friday.
The South Florida Republican also announced that he had rounded up a Senate sponsor in U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the chairman of the Senate Western Hemisphere Subcommittee
“Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to file companion legislation in the Senate next week,” Curbelo said. “I thank Sen, Rubio and my colleagues in the House for their steadfast commitment to this issue and their tireless efforts to bring democracy and justice to Cuba. I appreciate all of the bipartisan support this legislation has received so far and will work towards advancing the Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act through Congress.”
Reiterating his opposition to President Barack Obama’s efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, Curbelo explained why his bill was needed when he brought it out.
“Our Cuba immigration policy is flawed, and the administration has made matters worse by recognizing the Cuban dictatorship as a legitimate government,” Curbelo said last month. “Tens of thousands of Cubans have responded by risking their lives to flee the island. This proposal aims to reduce the abuse of America's generosity and affords Cubans the opportunity to work and contribute to our country.”
Curbelo’s bill was sent to the House Education and Workforce Committee, which he sits on, and the House Ways and Means Committee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
