Resettlement re-cap: a periodic report from the Cuban Refugee Center, May 1966

              SPONSOR CUBAN REFUGEES
Fulfill Their Faith in Freedom
MAY 1966
RESETTLEMENT RE-CAP
FOR   ADMINISTRATIVE   USE
A PERIODIC REPORT FROM THE CUBAN REFUGEE CENTER — FREEDOM TOWER, MIAMI 32, FLORIDA
U.  S.   DEPARTMENT OF  HEALTH,  EDUCATION, AND  WELFARE     —    WELFARE  ADMINISTRATION
U.S. CUBAN  REFUGEE PROGRAM JOHN FREDERICK THOMAS, Director, Washington, D. C.
HOWARD  H.   PALMATIER, Assistant  Program   Director
MARSHALL WISE, Director of Center HARRY B. LYFORD, Editor
WELCOME TO A HOME -- AWAY FROM COMMUNISM,
A SCENE OFTEN REPEATED THESE DAYS AS CUBAN
REFUGEE FAMILIES ARE AIDED BY NEW FRIENDS
Even little Susana, 3%, with a large round gift under her arm, appears
glad that traveling is over and that a smiling welcome is accorded the
Juan Mesa family in Redding, Calif.  It is a greeting scene representative of many in which Cuban refugees are starting new lives in freedom
after leaving their now communist-dominated homeland.  Flying on west
after a short stay in Miami, the four Mesas (Juan, 1%, is tugging his
mother's right hand) had an airport welcome at San Francisco and are
pictured entering their temporary home.  Church World Service and
Episcopalian sponsorship has guided them to Redding, where Rev. Robert
D. Noble, of All Saints1 Church, is helping with the family luggage.
The other two greeters are members of church organizations that have
stocked the kitchen for the newcomers, and supplied other needs.  Best
news of all came a few days after the family's arrival.  The Country
Club in Redding needed a man and Mr. Mesa went to work on the golf
course.  High school teachers volunteered to help the Mesas with their
English. — Photo Courtesy Redding, Calif., RECORD-SEARCHLIGHT
COMMISSIONER WINSTON URGES ACTION ON REFUGEE STATUS
NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR COMMENDS CUBANS
FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO STATE
"It is almost universally reported that the
Cuban refugee has been an asset to New Jersey,"
Govo Richard J. Hughes reported to the Senate
Judiciary Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees
at a hearing in Newark.  "The Cuban refugee is
highly motivated and characterized by his adaptability and willingness to become a useful and
respected part of society.  He is interested in
self-improvement.  The Cuban has not deemed it
an insult to his capabilities to take a job or
train for a job of lesser stature than he held
in Cuba, especially because of initial language
problems.  The percentage of Cuban refugees who
have had to avail themselves of welfare assistance has been small and short-termed.
"A New Jersey labor specialist has said that
in today's labor market Cuban refugee skills
and educational achievements and work attitudes
have contributed significantly to their easy
assimilation into the work force.  And, he has
added:  !We would have been the poorer had they
not come. '"
The Governor said he took pride in reporting
that more than 14,000 Cuban refugees have come
to New Jersey, ranking it next to New York
state, the top recipient of the exiles.  He
stated:  "We have more than 13 percent of all
Cubans resettled in the U.S. Their dispersal
to more than 200 municipalities of the state is
a measure of the broad heart and willingness of
New Jersey citizens to do their part in extending the hand of friendship and welcome."
FACTS ABOUT THE CUBAN REFUGEE PROGRAM
STIR INTEREST AND ACTION IN RESETTLEMENT;
BACK NUMBERS OF RE-CAP, FACT SHEETS, AND
OTHER PRINTED MATTER AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
The economy of the United States is the loser when Cuban refugee skilled manpower cannot be used because of
the "temporary guest" or "parolee" status of most refugees, Welfare Commissioner Ellen Winston testified at a
hearing on the Cuban Refugee Program in Washington, conducted by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Problems
of Refugees and Escapees.  Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts, is Subcommittee Chairman.  Mrs. Winston
expressed the hope "that the Congress can take a good look at this problem, with the view of alleviating the
situation as soon as possible." She said:  "The lack of a more substantial immigration status is becoming an
increasing hardship to the refugees.  To adjust their status they must leave this country and re-enter with a
permanent resident visa.  This is a costly process.  As the refugees remain, their English improves, they become more accustomed to our way of life and they seek to use their skills in the best way possible.  Often
the way to the top is barred by a licensing requirement or a certification process calling for the applicant
to be either a citizen or permanent resident.  The parolee can be neither, and so he must be burdened with
this economic handicap."
YOUR COMMUNITY'S POTENTIAL FOR SPONSORING, HOUSING, EMPLOYING, AND OTHERWISE HELPING CUBAN
REFUGEES MERITS INTER-FAITH SURVEYS, IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR RESETTLEMENT AGENCY CALLS
TO YOU FOR OPPORTUNITIES; THE PRESENT AGREEMENT ON EXITS FROM CUBA IS "OPEN-END" — WHICH
INDICATES ADVANTAGES LOCALLY IN LONG-TERM PLANS TO HELP EXILES LAUNCH NEW LIVES IN FREEDOM