July 21, 2008

Mr. Thomas Shannon

Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere

United States Department of State

Washington, DC

 
Dear Mr. Shannon:

The Cuban American Commission for Family Rights was created in 2004 to protect the rights of American families of Cuban descent so they could visit their families in Cuba. The decree issued by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba not only limits these visits, redefines family, does not address the needs for emergency travel  but more than anything it violates our community’s sense of family values and thus it is overwhelmingly repudiated by Cuban Americans.  This fact is supported by numerous polls that show that close to 80% of Americans of Cuban descent support unlimited travel to the island to visit relatives.

Our organization represents thousands of persons affected by these regulations.  We are writing today to respectfully urge this administration to issue a humanitarian visa to Adriana Perez so she can visit her husband, Gerardo Hernandez currently serving prison in the United States. He has been in prison for more than a decade without seeing his wife.  By granting her the visa to visit her loved one the United States would be enacting a gesture of humanitarianism that will send a profound message to the rest of the world.  By acting upon one of our most fundamental of principles, the rights of families to visit and nurture each other, we will demonstrate that the issue of family values is not just a catch phrase used during political campaigns, but rather one worthy of action and thus transcending the trappings of political ideology.

Americans are known worldwide for their concern for family and country.  Shouldn’t our government reflect this concern by allowing families to gather, to share a laugh, a tear, a moment; to have the right to hug, and confirm their love for each other?

We sincerely hope that this visa is granted, and thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Alvaro Fernandez                                                       Silvia Wilhelm

President                                                                     Executive Director

 
Cc: Senators Dodd, Enzi, Baucus, Dorgan; Reps Rangel, Delahunt, Flake, Serrano

 

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