COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION 65-505 PART 1-WASHINGTON, D.C. MARCH 23, 24, 29, AND 30, 1966 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1966 CONTENTS Statements of Jefferson, Joe, executive director, American Council for Emigres in the Professions; accompanied by Wesley J. Hennessy, executive dean, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University-McCarthy, John E., director, Department of Immigration, National Catholic Welfare Conference; accompanied by Donald Hohl, assistant director, and Hugh McLoone, director, Cuban refugee program_- Noto, Mario T., Associate Commissioner, Immigration and Naturali- Rice, James P., executive director, United HIAS Service- - Schauer, the Reverend John W., director, immigration and refugee vanden Heuvel, William, president, International Rescue Committee_ APPENDIX 1. Memorandum of understanding concerning the movement of Cuban 3. United States government agencies concerned with Cuban refugees___ 5. Cuban refugee arrivals, registration, and resettlement under the memorandum of understanding, December 1, 1965, through March 11, 1966_. 6. Cuban nationals in the United States in temporary status as of May 31, 1966. 131 7. Cuban national alien address reports filed during January, 1966, by state of residence_ 131 8. Excerpts from recent issues of "Resettlement Recap,' a periodic report issued from the Cuban Refugee Center, Freedom Tower, Miami, Fla__ 132 9. Letter to Senator Edward M. Kennedy from John E. McCarthy, April 7, 1966. 135 10. Letter and accompanying memorandums to Senator George A. Smathers from Peter Masiko, Jr., March 25, 1966.......... 136 CUBAN REFUGEE PROBLEM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1966 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON REFUGEES AND ESCAPEES OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m., in room 457, Old Senate Office Building, Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senators Kennedy and Fong. Also present: George Abrams, general counsel; Dale S. de Haan, research consultant; and Mrs. Theresa Greenly, secretary to the subcommittee. Chairman KENNEDY. Today's hearing opens public inquiry into the current flow of refugees from Cuba. Last November, through the Swiss Embassy in Havana, the United States and Cuba concluded a memorandum of understanding, which provided for a regular monthly airlift of some 4,000 refugees to Miami. Under this agreement, nearly 14,000 men, women, and children have come to the United States since the first of December. Most of them have joined immediate members of their family already present in this country. The incoming Cubans are being assisted in resettlement under the Cuban refugee program, administered by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, in cooperation with several private voluntary agencies. The Cuban refugee program is first and foremost an essential humanitarian act by the American people. But I also hope it shows to all people the willingness of this Nation to help those in need who stand with the United States for personal freedom and democrátic development in the Western Hemisphere. Ι A report issued by this subcommittee nearly a year ago recommended that every effort be made to find a formula for reuniting separated refugee families. On the Senate floor last October 5, I supported the efforts and success of President Johnson in concluding a memorandum of understanding which gave promise of reuniting these families. I was thinking of the many thousands of unaccompanied children who were sent to the United States by their parents during the earlier days of the Castro regime. I was thinking of the many refugee families whose normal breadwinner, or whose mother, remained outside this country. I was thinking of the thousands of political prisoners, many with close relatives in this country, who were suffering harsh treatment in Cuba's jails. |