Thread: U.S. scholarships get Cubans expelled

U.S. scholarships get Cubans expelled

Students denied exit permits to study in 3 states
Sept. 5, 2009 12:00 AM
McClatchy Newspapers .

MIAMI - The Cuban government has denied exit permits to about 30 Cuban college students who had been offered U.S. government-funded scholarships for academic programs at American academic institutions.

Not only did the students lose the chance to attend classes for free in the U.S., some also were accused of ideologically losing their way and were expelled from their colleges in Cuba. Those who were members of the Communist Youth Union were booted out, several students said.

"I've been told that I have been expelled from the university and that I have a hearing pending with the Communist Youth, where I am to receive a temporary sanction due to the fact that, in self-criticism, I acknowledged having applied for the scholarship," wrote a student selected for one U.S. program.

The student, who asked not to be identified, said there is deep frustration among the chosen students.

"Our state of mind couldn't be worse. We feel unprotected. Nobody will defend us nor challenge the Cuban government to claim our right to exercise the option any university student in the world has," the young woman said from Havana.

This was the first year that Cuban students were included in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program, which provides scholarships for students around the world to attend American universities.

When word of the scholarships got out in Cuba, the U.S. Interests Section in Havana was deluged with more than 750 applications.

Bisa Williams, acting deputy assistant secretary of State
for Western Hemisphere affairs, said it was an unfortunate turn of events.

The universities were located in Arizona, Tennessee and Idaho.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... s0905.html

The Cuban government has denied exit permits to about 30 Cuban college students who had been offered U.S. government-funded scholarships for academic programs at American academic institutions.

There is no such thing as "U.S. government-funded".

"What they mean is U.S. TAXPAYER FUNDED".

Of course, they are not going to grant exit visas, because these Cuban kids will get to mix with those brought up in democracy! Who knows how tainted they will become!
If these 30 have qualified of scholarships to come to the US, they seem to be the best and brightest, and although good party members, it is better to keep them at home so they don't get exposed to the US and long for a better life in their country. Keep 'em at home and dumb and happy with their government.
JD2, are you sure this is taxpayer dollars, as there are many private organizations that grant scholarships, including LaRaza and MALDEF?

Originally Posted by vortex

Of course, they are not going to grant exit visas, because these Cuban kids will get to mix with those brought up in democracy! Who knows how tainted they will become!
If these 30 have qualified of scholarships to come to the US, they seem to be the best and brightest, and although good party members, it is better to keep them at home so they don't get exposed to the US and long for a better life in their country. Keep 'em at home and dumb and happy with their government.
JD2, are you sure this is taxpayer dollars, as there are many private organizations that grant scholarships, including LaRaza and MALDEF?

The article says,

U.S. government-funded scholarships

.

Why the h-e-double-ell aren't these scholarships going to AMERICAN students?!??!?!