Discrimination in Immigration

In many ways the United States has made great strides against racial discrimination. It still has much to do however. I want to note a particular oddity in immigration that I have noticed time and again.

Cuba and Haiti are both island nations. Both have less than desirable governmental conditions. Many people in both nations have a desire to seek better lives in the States. Yet one is clearly shown more favor.

Both peoples make attempts to escape in vehicles of all sorts with varying degrees of success. Yet it is the Haitian people that are more likely to be turned back. Cubans if they make it to shore without being apprehended are protected by the wet feet dry feet policy. They can even later apply to be citizens. Haitians found in the States illegally are more likely to be summarily expelled.

Now it could be said that the Cuban community has a louder voice in politics and thus are courted more heavily. But there is this simple fact as well. Cubans in general are of a lighter hue and thus more desirable in Washington eyes. This is nothing new and Caribbean advocates have long been left wondering when the government will act in a more just manner.

I don't like pulling the race card. But the fact is Haiti is the poorest nation in the Americas. Cuba is in a position where it can offer free medical healthcare and low to no cost education to its inhabitants and other Caribbean nations. Why would we show less compassion to the neighbor in more need?

Note that I am specifically talking about immigration policy. The current humanitarian crisis and the corruption running through the Haitian government is a whole different ball of wax. But the inequity of immigration policy bears a looking into and the reasons thereof.