Attorney Callan Garcia Shares Insight on Cuban Migrant Crisis in FL Managing Partner and Immigration Attorney Callan Garcia of Garcia, Miranda & Gonzales-Rua, P.A. was featured in an article covering the recent influx of Cuban migrants to the Florida keys. Attorney Garcia shared valuable insights with the press regarding the lasting hardships that many immigrants face after arriving on U.S. soil. Visit the firm online to learn more. Attorney Callan Garcia of Garcia, Miranda & Gonzales-Rua, P.A.gave a recent statement regarding the closure of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. The park, located about 70 miles west of Key West, was recently shut down to accommodate an influx of Cuban migrants that has overwhelmed U.S. border agencies. The temporary suspension of the national park was deemed necessary by the National Park Service to protect the safety of visitors and staff as more migrants continue to arrive in Florida, and coordinated efforts are underway to recover those stranded on uninhabited islands. In less than a week, over 500 Cuban migrants have reached the Florida shore in search of better conditions. Ramón Saúl Sánchez of Movimiento Democracia referred to the situation as “a migration and humanitarian crisis” that the current Administration is doing little to address. Attorney Garcia, an accomplished immigration attorney and multilingual legal advocate, pointed out fundamental issues in the U.S. immigration process that are likely contributing to the problem at hand. He went on to explain that because of the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, many Cuban migrants who reach American soil remain in limbo for years, as U.S. officials have no way to repatriate them. Instead, the migrants are released under the condition that they report their address and status to federal immigration authorities on a regular basis. While they are permitted to obtain a work permit, Social Security number, and driver’s license, they cannot apply for U.S. citizenship. For some migrants, this period in limbo may last for the rest of their lives. “They’re just sort of here with a floating order for removal that can’t be executed,” Garcia told the press, adding that some Cubans who came to the U.S. in the 1980 Mariel boatlift are still classified as expedited for removal. Attorney Garcia added that a key inconsistency in the U.S. immigration system that immigrant rights advocates have always pointed to: the discrepancy in U.S. treatment of Haitian and Cuban migrants. The Cubans who name persecution as their reason for migrating are generally paroled and permitted to appear in court before a U.S. judge. If approved, these migrants are given the opportunity to obtain permanent residency and eventually apply for citizenship after an allotted amount of time. On the contrary, Attorney Garcia said, Haitian immigrants rarely receive the same opportunity. Instead, they almost always get sent back to their country of origin. Given that widespread violence and political persecution are still rampant in Haiti, this is especially concerning, as many Haitian migrants are forced to return home to the same severe economic hardship they were trying to escape in the first place. If you or a loved one is struggling to navigate the complex U.S. immigration process, it’s wise to seek counsel from a qualified attorney. Garcia, Miranda & Gonzales-Rua, P.A. have experience representing immigrants in various issues, including asylum, citizenship, and employment-based immigration, among others. Visit www.garciamirandalaw.com to learn more.