Bill Delahunt: “It prohibits enforcement of the cap on remittances that can be sent to families in Cuba. Not many people, I believe, are…”

“It prohibits enforcement of the cap on remittances that can be sent to families in Cuba. Not many people, I believe, are aware that an aspect of current policy regarding Cuba imposes limits on family charity. Let me just say that again. It is American policy to restrict the amount of financial support that Cuban Americans can send to their families on the island. U.S. law prohibits Americans from giving more than $1,200 a year to their Cuban families. I would suggest that this is shameful, especially for a Nation of immigrants like we have here in the United States. Is there anything that defines American history or our heritage more than a first-generation family sending money back to the old country to buy food or medicine or clothing for loved ones in need? Such assistance is particularly critical in Cuba. Dollars from American relatives can make a huge difference in the quality of life for a Cuban family. One would think that American policy would be to encourage family assistance; but instead, the law, our law, views Cuban Americans who give too much help to their families as common criminals who can be fined up to $55,000 and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.”