Questions About Mariela Castro's Trip

Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, accompanied by Malcolm Lazin, left, executive director of the Equality Forum, speaks to members of the media in view of Independence Hall Friday, May 3, 2013, in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke / AP Photo

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The following inquiry has been sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry by U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL):

According to Presidential Proclamation 5377, Section 1:

Entry of the following classes of Cuban nationals as nonimmigrants is hereby suspended: (a) officers or employees of the Government of Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba holding diplomatic or official passports; and (b) individuals who, notwithstanding the type of passport that they hold, are considered by the Secretary of State or his designee to be officers or employees of the Government of Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba.

In addition to granting the visa, reports indicate that the State Department reversed its previous position by allowing Mariela Castro to travel outside the 25-mile radius from New York to attend a conference in Philadelphia.

Accordingly, we request that you answer the following questions:

Why is the State Department ignoring current U.S. law by continuing to provide visas to Cuban Communist Party operatives such as Mariela Castro?

Given the fact that the United States must approve any travel outside of the 25-mile radius in New York for Cuban operatives, what is the justification for granting Mariela Castro such permission?

Has reciprocity been provided to U.S. Interests Section personnel to travel outside of Havana, Cuba?

Granting U.S. entry to this high-level individual from the Castro regime on two separate occasions undermines key foreign policy objectives, disregards Congressional intent, and rewards a top operative of the repressive Castro dictatorship.