Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act The CRC is a longtime advocate for an end to the US’s unilateral embargo on Cuba. Please join us by raising your voice in support of an initial step: ending the restrictions on travel to and from Cuba by US citizens and permanent residents. Due to an inconsistent policy relic of the Cold War era, Cuba is only country in the world to which Americans do not have the right to travel without the special permission of the US government. While it is true that the Cuban government has a poor human rights record, the US does not restrict travel to other countries with similar or worse behavior: North Korea, China, Myanmar, Sudan, and Iran. Instead of hurting the Cuban government, the embargo has punished the weak, the poor, and the powerless—particularly children and the elderly. Our travel ban has not effected change, it has not been consistent with our other foreign policy, and it has caused undue hardship for the Cuban people by hurting the most vulnerable. It is time for a change. What is the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act?The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R. 874, S. 428) is a bi-partisan bill that would completely repeal the restrictions on travel to and from Cuba by U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents.
Why does the CRC advocate for travel to Cuba?The CRCNA has a long history of support for Cuban Christian Reformed churches. Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) began working in Cuba in the 1950s but could not maintain a missionary presence after 1960 due to the Castro-led revolution. However, CRWM continued its support for the CRC of Cuba through periodic visits, financial grants, and prayer. CRWRC has also had a Cuban presence since 2002, partnering with local organizations to do relief and development. In addition, the CRC was instrumental in resettling a number of Cuban families who fled to North America after the revolution. Today the CRC of Cuba consists of 12 churches and continues to grow despite restrictions on civil society and religious freedom. The CRCNA actively advocates for an end to the US’s tight restrictions on travel to Cuba, which make the work of CRC agencies much more difficult. For decades, travel restrictions have reduced the capacity of Christian organizations to carry out their mandate and have disrupted fellowship between churches with long historical relationships. However, working in Cuba has become even more challenging since the Bush Administration increased restrictions on travel licenses for religious organizations in 2004. As a result of the new restrictions, many CRC trips to Cuba in support of our Cuban brothers and sisters have had to be canceled when travel licenses did not come through. What can you do?Tell the US government that it’s time to end the travel ban! Call or email your senator and representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R. 874, S. 428). This bill is gaining broad bi-partisan support in Congress, and among the American public. In fact, many policymakers informed OSJ in recent meetings that they would like to hear from more constituents on this issue. While there is positive momentum to end the travel restrictions, your voice is crucial in ensuring that this outdated 50-year-old policy is finally ended this year! How do you contact your representatives?
What should you say to your representatives?First, click to see if your representative and/or senators have become co-sponsors of this bill. If so, you should still contact them to thank them for their support. If not, explain to them why this bill is important to you! Advocating is easy! Just use these talking points:
For more helpful tips about how to call or email your senators, check out OSJ's advocacy guide. If you do contact your reps, we'd love to hear about it - email osjha@crcna.org with your story, or visit www.crcjustice.org to find our social networking options. |
