REFUGEE ADMISSIONS
Cuba is one of the few countries in the world (along with Vietnam and the former Soviet Union) in which the U.S. operates an in-country refugee processing program.
The definition of a refugee is established in the United Nations Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and in U.S. law in the Refugee Act of 1980 as amended. The applicant must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. It is not enough to demonstrate that the country in which the applicant lives is dominated by a repressive government in which any citizen is potentially subject to violations of civil or human rights. Rather, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she has been singled out for persecution by the government for political, religious or social reasons The applicant must satisfy an officer of the INS that he or she has a well founded fear of persecution within the meaning of the Refugee Act. Applicants should beware of those who offer to alter documents to enhance their case, as such instances of fraud undermine the credibility of persons who would otherwise qualify for refugee status. Likewise, while certificates from established human rights groups may provide additional information about a particular case, they are not determinative of refugee status and applicants should beware of those who offer for a fee to provide such certificates or otherwise provide influence.
In FY 1999, a total of 3,406.refugee travel documents were issued to refugees and their dependent family members.
In order to apply for refugee status, potential applicants should contact the Refugee processing unit at the U.S. Interests Section to request a refugee preliminary questionnaire. Once submitted, the questionnaires are reviewed by the U.S. Interests Section Refugee Unit. Applicants who appear to meet the refugee priorities set for the current fiscal year are sent a letter with a date for a screening interview. Refugee applicants are initially interviewed by a "pre-screener." . Refugee pre-screening is analogous to refugee case preparation by voluntary agencies elsewhere in the world. The screening process is intended to identify those applicants eligible for INS interviews and those cases that do not fit into the refugee priorities set each year by the Department of State. Applicants who do not meet the program criteria will be informed in writing. Applicants who are eligible under the criteria for the current year's program are scheduled for an interview with an INS officer. Statutory authority for granting refugee status lies with the Attorney General, who has delegated this authority to INS. Only INS can determine eligibility for refugee status; refugee applicants from Cuba, as from every other country, must demonstrate to INS that they meet the refugee definition.
U.S. Interests Section.