Resettlement re-cap: a periodic report from the Cuban Refugee Center, April 1965

              SPONSOR CUBAN REFUGEES
Fulfill Their Faith in Freedom
APRIL 1965
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.
ERROL  T.   BALLANFONTE,  Field   Representative,  Miami HARRY B.   LYFORD,  Editor
CUBAN REFUGEE TEACHES IN CUBA -- CUBA, KANSAS
BILL INTRODUCED TO MAKE MORE CONVENIENT
THE GAINING OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE
"The talents of many Cuban refugees are
going to waste because state professional
licensing laws keep those without permanent
status from practicing their skills and professions. "
With this statement, Senator Philip A.
Hart, Michigan, has introduced in the U.S.
Senate a bill to amend the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952 to permit "adjustment
of status of refugees resident in the U.S.,
who are natives of countries contiguous to
the U.S., or of any adjacent islands, including Cuba."  Passage of such a measure by
Congress would eliminate the requirment that
aliens specified by the bill leave the U.S.
and re-enter, in order to become eligible for
permanent residence.
"I do not question this requirement for
aliens who have come here through normal
procedure and in casual circumstances,"
Senator Hart told the Senate.  "The requirement, however, would seem to have  little
justification in the case of refugees from
the communist regime in Cuba.  Certainly,
their entry into this country was anything
but normal and casual.  They were under duress and fleeing oppression.  Moreover, the
requirement inhibits the rather substantial
federal program of assistance administered
by the Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare...The purpose of this program is to
render effective asylum by providing our Cuban guests with opportunities for self-support, chiefly through resettlement.  The
program is carried out in cooperation with
several Voluntary Agencies, religious bodies,
and civic organizations."
The senator added that "this (present)
situation, and the expensive and laborious procedure to obtain this status under present law,
is keeping refugees on relief rolls in various difficult circumstances.  I am thinking of
examples in Michigan, where, because of their status, qualified Cubans have been unable to
teach Spanish in the public schools.  It is obvious that such refugees could fill an urgent
need if given opportunity for adjustment of status...It should be noted that the bill is permissive rather than mandatory.  It does not automatically blanket all Cuban refugees with an
adjustment of status.  The bill is a limited measure which will afford opportunity for adjustment of status to those refugees who need or desire it to ply their skills and talents."
Senators Hiram L. Fong, Hawaii, Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts, Hugh Scott, Pennsylvania,
and Claiborne Pell, Rhode Island, joined Senator Hart in presenting the bill.  HEW Secretary
Celebrezze has given support to the bill in appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
After being assisted by the U.S. Cuban Refugee Program, this
Cuban refugee is now teaching in Cuba -- but be sure, in mentioning this, that you add KANSAS.  Cuba, KANSAS
It was only a matter of time until some Cuban refugee reached
one of the several U.S. communities named Cuba.  (In Illinois
Cuba is not far from Havana, but no Cuban refugees are reported
so far in either community.)
Dr. Juan Antonio Jimenez is the teacher of Spanish in Cuba
Rural High School.  He is there for the spring semester after
special training at Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia.  Expressing delight to be going to the Kansas Cuba, Dr. Jimenez
commented on how different he knew the climate would be from his
native Cuba.  "But I am already accustomed to Kansas," he added.
"Friendliness will make up for any temperature difference." The
author of three textbooks, Dr. Jimenez has a doctor's degree in
pedagogy from the University of Havana.  He has been a teacher
and administrator in the educational field for more than 20
years.  Mrs. Jimenez also has a doctorate degree, has written
textbooks, and plans to begin teaching her favorite subjects,
mathematics and Spanish.  One son, Juan, 19, is studying for the
priesthood in Spain.  Louis, 14, attends Cuba High School.
(Photo Courtesy Belleville, Kansas, TELESCOPE.)
SAVE THE SUPPLEMENT AND PASS IT ALONG
"Their Talents They Bring To The Freedom They
Seek" is the title of a 4-page supplement
with this issue of RESETTLEMENT RE-CAP.
The illustrated story points up Cuban Refugee Program projects that help our exile
guests apply their skills for self-support,
and to the advantages of the U.S.
EXTRA COPIES MAY BE HAD ON REQUEST TO THE CENTER