North Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has introduced the bipartisan Secure Airports from Enemies (SAFE) Act alongside Reps. Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

The SAFE Act aims to prevent individuals from nations on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List from accessing sensitive antiterrorism infrastructure in the United States. This legislative effort follows an incident on Cuban Independence Day 2024 when officials from the Castro regime were allowed access to secure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facilities at Miami International Airport.

“The Biden Administration allowing the Cuban Regime to tour sensitive areas of Miami International Airport is a major security breach and should never have happened,” said Rep. Salazar. “Congress must step in to ensure we do not parade the Cuban Regime or any other State Sponsor of Terrorism around secure U.S facilities.”

In response to this incident, Rep. Salazar, along with fellow Florida representatives and Senators Rubio and Scott, sent a letter to the heads of TSA and the Department of Homeland Security demanding an explanation for the visit, which also motivated the introduction of the SAFE Act.

“President Biden & Secretary Mayorkas granted agents of the Castro regime access to our sensitive TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. This dangerous decision undermines our national security and puts passengers at serious risk,” said Rep. Giménez. “I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan SAFE Act in the House of Representatives and work alongside my dear friend, Senator Marco Rubio, championing this effort in the Upper Chamber, to make sure this never happens again.”

“It’s absurd America has hosted officials from nations currently designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism,” said Senator Rubio. “We must ensure this administration is not enabling foreign operatives to learn about our aviation security measures aimed at keeping Americans safe.”

“As co-chair of the Cuba Democracy Caucus, I'm deeply concerned by the threat posed to Floridians and U.S. national security by Cuban officials touring secure areas at Miami International Airport,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I am proud to help lead this bill to protect Americans from transnational surveillance, repression, and terrorism, and safeguard our ongoing support for pro-democracy voices suffering under autocratic regimes like Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran.”

“Our airports need an all-around approach to security. It makes no sense why officials from terrorist sponsoring countries would be granted access to sensitive areas of airports,” said Rep. Moskowitz. “It is my hope that this was a mistake from TSA and that this type of access for conflicted foreign officials is never granted again."

“Protecting U.S. airports and sensitive government facilities is crucial to our national security," added Rep Díaz-Balart." American taxpayer money should not be used to allow individuals associated with a country designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism access any U.S airport or sensitive government facility."

Click here for full text of legislation.

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