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Special treatment: Under U.S. law, Cuban refugees don't have to be from Cuba

By Sally Kestin, Megan O'Matz and John Maines

Photography and videography by Taimy Alvarez

A unique immigration law meant to give refuge to Cubans fleeing the Communist regime has become a fast track to the United States for immigrants who never even lived on the island.

These immigrants weren’t born in Cuba. They never suffered under the Castro government. Yet the United States welcomed them as refugees and moved them to the front of the immigration line — simply because one of their parents was Cuban.

A single clause in the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 has enabled Venezuelans, Mexicans, Brazilians and others to enjoy its extraordinary benefits.