U.S. Rep. David Rivera is taking aim at the Cuban Adjustment Act that he claims is being abused by people who gain U.S. residency.
Speaking at a Wednesday press conference at the Cuban Patriotic Headquarters in Miami, Rivera announced legislation that would change the law that allows Cuban nationals to receive permanent residency status after spending one year and one day in the U.S.
The CAA, enacted in 1966, was originally created to give political asylum to Cubans, but Rivera claims it's being abused by people who claim political persecution then travel back to Cuba.
Rivera wants to revoke residency for any Cuban national who travels back to Cuba before they become eligible for U.S. citizenship.
"The fact that Cubans avail themselves of the CAA, citing political persecution, then travel back to the persecuting country is a clear and blatant abuse of the law," Rivera said. "The time has come to adjust the Cuban Adjustment Act."
The bill, which would increase the time period to five years and require the person to remain in the U.S. was submitted earlier this month and referred to the House committee.
