Former Attorney General Janet Reno backs exonerated Cuban immigrant’s US residency bid
By APThursday, October 15, 2009
Exonerated Cuban immigrant seeks US residency
MIAMI — Former Attorney General Janet Reno is backing the U.S. residency bid of a Cuban immigrant imprisoned for a sexual assault he didn’t commit.
Orlando Boquete was one of thousands of Cubans who fled the island to South Florida during the 1980 Mariel boatlift. He was wrongfully convicted three years later.
Boquete escaped from prison after 13 years, and DNA testing exonerated him in 2006. But he admitted that while on the lam he committed several felonies, including burglary, making him ineligible for residency and citizenship.
In a letter to immigration officials, Reno urged discretion in Boquete’s case given his years of wrongful incarceration.
Officials agreed not to deport him, but he could be sent back if the U.S. and Cuba renew relations.
