Miami Airport Cuban Delegation Crisis Prompts Federal Legislation Introduction

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Carlos Giménez (R-FL), have filed legislation in response to reports of Cuban government officials touring Miami International Airport’s (MIA) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facilities.

The visit by Cuban officials to MIA, who were led through secure areas unauthorized for the general public, caused uproar amongst the South Florida community.

As reported by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres, the denunciation of the TSA-led tour of the Cuban officials was bipartisan.

Representative Gimenez was the first to sound the alarm of the visit, calling the move a “direct slap in the face to the Cuban exile community here in Miam-Dade County.”

Consequently, Senator Rubio’s and Gimenez’s legislation would outlaw TSA from authorizing any future similar visits.

The Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act would prohibit officials from State Sponsors of Terrorism from accessing TSA areas.

Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Syria are included in the law.

Last month, the Biden Administration removed Cuba from a list of countries identified as uncooperative with the US’ counterterrorism efforts.

Through press release, Rubio expressed concern over foreign adversaries learning about the U.S.’ national security practices.

“We must ensure this administration is not enabling foreign operatives to learn of our aviation security measures aimed at keeping Americans safe,” Rubio said.

Gimenez directly blamed President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the Cuban agents’ MIA visit.

“President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas granted agents of the Castro regime access to our sensitive TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. This pathetic and dangerous decision undermines our national security and puts passengers in serious risk,” Gimenez Said.

The SAFE Act has bipartisan support as Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), are also original cosponsors.