The Cuban Adjustment Act: A Special Path To Permanent Residence And Citizenship
The Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) of 1966 is one of our most unique immigration programs helping immigrants earn green cards.
Like many immigration programs, the Cuban Adjustment Act was created in response to our political policies. Back in 1966, the U.S. was furious at the Cuban government. As a result, the Cuban Adjustment Act was passed to help Cubans fleeing their country due to political dissension.
How The Cuban Adjustment Act Differs From Other Immigration Programs
Last month, I was reminded about its uniqueness at a hearing in immigration court.
Hired as an immigration lawyer in San Diego to defend an immigrant from Cuba, I was surprised – and disppointed – when government counsel did not understand how my client would soon be entitled to adjustment of status under CAA.
The immigration judge, sensing the government’s confusion, decided to adjourn the hearing a few weeks so the government attorney could catch up on the law. Over and over again, government attorneys in Southern California are baffled when I raise CAA as a form of relief for my Cuban immigrant clients.
Actually, after 17 years experience as an immigration attorney, it is quite easy to understand government counsel’s surprise when they first learn about CAA.
Most immigration programs are super strict, causing clients to struggle to find a legitimate reason to remain in the United States.
The Cuban Adjustment Act is vastly different. It is not nearly as strict as most immigration programs. CAA cases, if done correctly, should be moving to the green card stage within one year of the Cuban immigrant’s arrival in the United States.
As The Washington Note has observed, most undocumented immigrants run from the law. Cuban immigrants run to the law.
What Is The Cuban Adjustment Act?
Under the Cuban Adjustment Act, Cuban immigrants may apply to become lawful permanent residents if they have been present in the U.S. for at least one year after they were admitted or paroled into the country. This has often been called “one year and a day” rule.
The admission and parole requirements are also simple.
In 1995, after talks with the Cuban government, the Clinton Adminstration decided to modify the 1996 law slightly. Before the discussions, the U.S. would admit all Cubans, even those found at sea. After the discussions, it was agreed the U.S. would stop admitting people found at sea.
Now if a Cuban is caught by immigration agents at sea between the two nations (with “wet feet”), they will be sent back home or to a third country.
If Cuban immigrants make it to our shores (with “dry feet”), they will be lawfully admitted or paroled into the U. S. This is known as the “wet foot, dry foot” policy.
After a year’s time, they become eligible to seek permanent residence.
The only restrictions at the one year point are issues such as a criminal conviction or a fraud problem.
Cuban Immigrants And Deportation Hearings
Like my client, many Cuban immigrants are stopped at a U.S. border post. Trying to get into the U.S., they inform the immigration agents that they are fleeing Cuba. The U.S. government allows them entry as Cuban asylees.
Immigration officers refer them to immigration court. They are placed in deportation and removal proceedings. When they appear before an immigration judge, like other immigrants, they have to explain why they are entitled to remain in the U.S.
This is where government attorneys get confused. If they have not heard about the Cuban Adjustment Act, they treat the case as a regular asylum case. They fail to realize the immigrant has already been allowed to temporarily remain in the U.S. They do not understand why, after only living here one year, Cuban immigrants are allowed to become permanent residents.
Until last year the immigration judge had the power to hold green card hearings for Cuban immigrants.
Now immigration judges have no authority over the adjustment of status (I-485) applications. Instead, Cuban immigrants have to file their green cards paperwork with the US Citizenship and Services Office.
This new procedure seems a step backward.
As an immigration deportation trial attorney, I must now ask the immigration court to delay the case. Meanwhile I file my client’s documents at the USCIS office. Until USCIS finally makes a decision, the immigration judge has to keep the case open.
Sometimes it takes 2, 3, 4 years for the final green card decision to be made.
This is a waste of the immigration court’s time.
Yet, even with this inconvenience, the Cuban Adjustment Act remains one of our most special immigration programs for green cards and permanent residence.
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