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Congressman William Delahunt has filed a bill that proposes permitting Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba without restrictions. It’s a long overdue sign that reality is beginning to erode our foolish policies toward that island country.
‘‘This bill would allow American citizens and permanent residents with relatives in Cuba to travel there whenever they want, without having to get permission from the U.S. government,’’ Delahunt, a Quincy Democrat, said last week.
Chairman of the International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Delahunt says his Cuban-American Family Rights Restoration Act would permit Cuban-Americans to bring money to relatives and prohibit the president from imposing restrictions on family travel.
As part of a U.S. embargo, ordinary Americans are banned from traveling to Cuba. Until 2004, Cuban-Americans were effectively exempt from the restriction if the purpose was to visit relatives. President Bush has redefined family to now exclude aunts, uncles and cousins from traveling to Cuba.
‘‘These family visits are critical for Cubans on the island,’’ Delahunt said. ‘‘Their relatives bring money, medicine, clothes and humanitarian supplies. They are just as important for Cuban-Americans because these visits let them fulfill that most basic of human obligations - helping your family.’’
Delahunt is right. What’s the purpose in causing heartache among Cubans and Cuban-Americans on the basis of an outdated dispute between our two countries?
It is ludicrous that Americans can travel without hindrance to China and to other nations rife with totalitarian politics, while the island 90 miles from the Florida coast is considered off-limits because its government is communist.
With Cuban dictator Fidel Castro fading, the U.S. should be working now to influence what kind of government follows. A free exchange between the American people and our Cuban neighbors of trade, travel, sports - let’s not forget the number of great professional baseball players Cuba has produced - and culture will help create the kind of bonds that can lead to better relations in the future.
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