• Submitted by: manso
• Politics and Government
• 10 / 05 / 2010

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Oct 4, 2010 9:32 pm US/Eastern. The action by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security could affect dozens of exiled prisoners now in Spain WASHINGTON (CBS4)

CBS4 News. As Cuba is rumored to be considering the release and exile of more political prisoners, the U.S. is taking steps to allow some of the prisoners already released to come to the United States under a special program for immigrants who don't qualify in normal ways.

The State Department Monday confirmed speculation that the US will allow those exiled prisoners, many of whom were re-settled in Spain, to come to the US under what's called a Significant Public Benefit Parole, if the exile's request is approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS is the only department of the US Government with the authority to parole people into the United States.

Under that special program, they would have essentially the same status as Cuban migrants who reached US shores, including the ability to hold a job, qualify for a green card, and if they choose, apply for citizenship.

About 3 dozen political prisoners would qualify for the program, according to the state department. The State Department is not sure how many would choose to come to the US.

In a statement, State Department representative Charles Luoma-Overstreet said the US Embassy in Madrid is, "actively reaching out to the released political prisoners to inform them of this possibility and share information about eligibility."

If parole is approved, the political prisoners will be allowed to move to the US and bring family members with them.

Luoma-Overstreet did not specifically say if the program will be extended to all political prisoners exiled from Cuba in the future, but did make clear US policy about prisoner releases.

"We welcome the unconditional release of political prisoners by the government of Cuba," he said in his statement.

Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/message/118280