AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

AAAS is concerned about the recent denial of a U.S. entry visa to Cuban otolaryngologist Dr. Ulises Rodriguez Morales. Dr. Rodriguez was invited to attend a three-week surgical training workshop on ear implantations by the Howe Ear Institute in Sylmar, California, beginning on 20 May. He was also invited to participate in a three-month seminar at the Cochlear Implant Center at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City in mid-June. The U.S. Interests Section in Havana denied Dr. Rodriguez's visa application on the grounds that he falls under possible immigrant status, citing the fact that his wife, also a renowned physician in Cuba, is working on a year-long fellowship at Beth Israel Hospital.

There is reportedly ample evidence to demonstrate that Dr. Rodriguez and his wife are not immigration risks. Most striking is that the Cuban government does not believe that the couple is likely to immigrate, as evidenced by its willingness to allow both doctors to travel. Dr. Rodriguez has traveled to Mexico during his wife's fellowship and made no attempt to enter the U.S. In addition, the couple has been outside of Cuba before attending a four-month training seminar together in Barcelona, Spain, from which they returned to Cuba. They both have strong familial and professional ties and do not fit the classification of economically deprived Cubans, who could reasonably be considered likely to emigrate.

The denial of a U.S. visa to Dr. Ulises Rodriguez Morales, who is one of Cuba's leading ear surgeons, constitutes an infringement of the free exchange of information on which the U.S. and international scientific communities are dependent. It is contrary to stated U.S. policy that bona fide scientists on scientific exchanges or traveling for educational purposes exempt from other restrictions that may apply. Furthermore, it runs counter to stated U.S. policy to expand "people to people contacts" with Cuba through "two-way exchanges among academics, atheletes, scientists, and others, including streamlining the approval process for such visits." (Statement by the President, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, January 5, 1999. ) Such a denial deprives Dr. Rodriguez of the opportunity to obtain valuable training in cochlear implant surgery. Because, Dr. Rodriguez is uniquely qualified, it also effectively deprives deaf Cuban children the opportunity to receive the best possible treatment.

(Source of information for this case is the National Security Archive.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send fax or email messages:

• expressing concern about the denial of a U.S. entry visa to a bona fide scientist seeking to engage in legitimate scientific activities in the United States;
• urging U.S. officials to grant a visa to Dr. Ulises Rodriguez Morales; and
• requesting that the U.S. government adhere to its stated policy of expanding "people to people contacts" with Cuba through 'two-way exchanges among academics, athletes, scientists, and others, including streamlining the approval process for such visits."

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: 202 647 1533

COPIES SENT TO:

Mr. Fulton Armstrong
Acting Senior Director for Inter-American Affairs
National Security Council
Fax: 202 456 9130


Mr. Michael Kozak
Principal Officer
U.S. Interests Section, Havana
Fax: 011 537 333 700


Ambassador Wendy Sherman
Office of the Counselor
U.S. Department of State
Fax: 202 647 4901



Mr. Peter Romero
Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs
Fax: 202 647 0791

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