Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
On August 21, 2024, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28) along with Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter condemns the Biden-Harris Administration for allowing a high-level Cuban Communist Party operative to enter the United States.
The letter reads: "We write to express our profound disgust regarding reports that a high-level, longtime Cuban Communist Party operative managed to gain the special privilege of U.S. entry. Further, and within all applicable rules and regulations, we request that you assess whether the law was followed in this case and if not, what specific processes are in place to ensure that a similar mistake does not recur."
According to press reports including a video posted by journalist Mario J. Penton, Manuel Menendez Castellanos entered the United States through Miami International Airport last week. Reports indicate that Castellanos was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Central Workers’ Union in 1972, First Secretary of the Communist Party in Cienfuegos (1993 and 2003), a deputy in the National Assembly for years, as well as a member of Fidel Castro’s “coordination and support team.”
The letter cites INA 212(a)(3)(D)(i) which states: “Any immigrant who is or has been a member of or affiliated with the Communist or any other totalitarian party (or subdivision or affiliate thereof), domestic or foreign, is inadmissible.” The USCIS website further elaborates on this provision by stating: “In general, any immigrant who is or has been a member of or affiliated with the Communist or any other totalitarian party (or subdivision or affiliate thereof), domestic or foreign, is inadmissible” (Chapter 3 - Immigrant Membership in Totalitarian Party | USCIS).
The lawmakers expressed their outrage: "We are outraged that an individual with a role in oppressing the Cuban people for decades was permitted the extraordinary privilege of U.S. entry so that he could spend his retirement in freedom and comfort."
They concluded by requesting an assessment on whether laws were followed in this case and what actions will be taken to prevent similar occurrences.
"Thank you for your attention to this matter of utmost importance and we look forward to your prompt response."
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