A group of three Republican congressmen and two senators, four of whom are Cuban-Americans, sent a joint letter on Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter calls for an evaluation of whether the law was followed in permitting the entry of former Cuban leader Manuel Menéndez Castellanos into the United States. The lawmakers urge that if any legal provisions were violated, appropriate actions should be taken.
The letter was signed by Republican congressmen María Elvira Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Carlos Giménez, along with senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. "Within all applicable rules and regulations, we ask that you assess whether the law was followed in this case and, if not, what specific processes are in place to ensure a similar error does not occur again," the letter stated, listing potential legal violations.
The INA 212(a)(3)(D)(i) stipulates that, "Any immigrant who is or has been a member or affiliate of the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party (or subdivision or affiliate thereof), whether national or foreign, is inadmissible." The USCIS website elaborates on this provision by stating: “Generally, any immigrant who is or has been a member or affiliate of the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party (or subdivision or affiliate thereof), whether national or foreign, is inadmissible” (Chapter 3 - Membership in Totalitarian Parties | USCIS).
The letter points out that "given this U.S. legal prohibition, it seems likely that a high-ranking and former operative of the Cuban Communist Party and agent of that brutal dictatorship would be inadmissible for entry into the United States." The lawmakers expressed outrage that an individual involved in oppressing the Cuban people for decades was allowed to enter the U.S. to enjoy a comfortable retirement.
"Freedom is for the victims of communism, not for the oppressors. I asked @SecBlinken for the immediate cancellation of the visa of Manuel Menéndez Castellanos, former First Secretary of the PCC in Cienfuegos. If he is such a loyal communist, he should spend his retirement in Cuba, not in the U.S.," wrote Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar on X, along with another letter sent to Blinken in her name.
Since Menéndez Castellanos' arrival at Miami International Airport on August 15, where he tried to remain unnoticed by wearing a cap, face mask, sunglasses, and being transported in a wheelchair, there has been growing discontent among the Cuban community in South Florida.
As influencers, journalists, and lawyers have pointed out in recent days, there are thousands of Cuban citizens in the U.S. who are in a legal limbo, with many facing the undeserved threat of deportation. The letter to Blinken and Mayorkas aligns with the wishes of attorney Wilfredo Allen, who suggested that a federal investigation requested by South Florida's Cuban-American legislators would be the best way to determine why Menéndez Castellanos was allowed entry.
“I would like, number one, for the congressmen to find out—because it has to be at the federal level—what happened here? What happened in that interview?” questioned the lawyer. Allen added that even if Menéndez Castellanos had been relieved of his duties 20 years ago, “that does not negate the harm he did before losing his position, nor does it negate the 40 years of wrongdoing in Cienfuegos, nor the damage he inflicted on the country and the harm people like him have done to Cuba.”
Meanwhile, the Patmos Institute, based in Washington, criticized what it termed the alarming increase of "responsibles of the communist system in Cuba" entering the U.S., contrasting this with many victims on the island who lack access to a refugee program because it has been stalled for years.
After being replaced as the top communist leader in Cienfuegos in 2003 and later serving as the head of Fidel Castro's support team, a position whose end date is unknown, Menéndez Castellanos appeared in 2012 discussing renewable energy in Cuba on a Mesa Redonda broadcast, holding the title of Director of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Basic Industry (MINBAS).
Key Questions on Manuel Menéndez Castellanos' U.S. Entry
Given the controversy surrounding the entry of former Cuban leader Manuel Menéndez Castellanos into the United States, several important questions have arisen. Here are some of the key inquiries and answers that provide further insight into the situation.
Why are lawmakers questioning the legality of Menéndez Castellanos' entry to the U.S.?
Lawmakers believe that Menéndez Castellanos' admission to the U.S. might have violated provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which prohibits entry to individuals who have been members of the Communist Party or other totalitarian parties.
What specific legal provision is cited in the lawmakers' letter?
The letter cites INA 212(a)(3)(D)(i), which states that any immigrant who is or has been a member or affiliate of the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party, whether national or foreign, is inadmissible.
What actions are the lawmakers requesting from Blinken and Mayorkas?
The lawmakers are asking for an evaluation of whether the law was followed in Menéndez Castellanos' case and, if not, what specific processes are in place to prevent a similar error from occurring in the future.
How has the Cuban community in South Florida reacted to Menéndez Castellanos' arrival?
The Cuban community in South Florida has expressed growing discontent and outrage, as they feel it is unjust for an individual involved in oppressing the Cuban people to be allowed to retire comfortably in the United States.