Political Quotes

“I came to the floor a few weeks ago to bring to people's attention an abuse that is occurring in our welfare system, and it involves Cuban immigration. Let me describe the situation we face today. If an immigrant comes to the United States from Cuba legally, entering the United States from another country--let me rephrase that. If an immigrant legally enters the United States from any country in the world, except for Cuba or Haiti, they cannot immediately receive Federal benefits. If you are a legal immigrant and came to the United States from Venezuela, Mexico, or Japan--you did your paperwork and paid your fees--you do not qualify for any Federal benefits for the first 5 years you are in this country. However, there is an exception for people who come from Cuba. Under the Cuban Adjustment Act, anyone who comes from Cuba legally or illegally-- if you cross the border and say ``I am a Cuban''--you are immediately accepted into the United States legally. I am not here today to talk about changing that status, even though there is a significant migratory crisis that is building, and I do think that issue needs to be reexamined. Here is the exception to the law: If you come to the United States from Cuba, whether you entered across the border or entered on a visa, you are one of the only immigrants in America who immediately and automatically qualifies for Federal benefits. You don't have to prove you are a refugee or prove you are fleeing oppression.…”