BAY OF PIGS VET BECOMES YANQUI - 'IT'S GREAT'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000700650013-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: May 26, 1964
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For Release 2005/01/05: CIA-RDP75-00140'b3=
r
MIAMI NEOWS MAY 2 6 1964
A Y OP' PIGS VET [m
ECOMES YANQUI
-11"S GREAT'
A federal court judge in a precedent-setting case has grant-
ed citizenship here to a Havana-born survivor of the Bay of
Pigs invasion.
Carlos Viera, 34, was the first veteran of that ill-fated
expedition to gain U. S. citizenship.
Naturalization came in Miami's latest new-citizen ceremon-
i ies before Judge Charles B. Fulton, upon the recommendation
of the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Citizenship was granted despite the fact that Viera was
away from the United States for more than a year during
a period when continuous residence is required "except in
certain cases."
Viera's is that "certain cases." His was an enforced ab-
sence from the United States. He spent 23 months in a Castro
prison after the invasion.
A former Havana policeman and father of one, Viera
owns his home at 120 W. 43 St. in Hialeah and thinks "Ameri-
can citizenship is the greatest: thing on earth." .
In recommending him for U.S. citizenship, Joseph Minton,
deputy district director for immigration and naturalization
here, said for purposes,of naturalization Viera "did not break
his continuity of residence."
Continuous presence in this 'country, except for short
periods not exceeding a year, is'part of the requirement during
'the regular five-year waiting period.'
Miami News Photo by Toby Massey
Carlos ,Viera.... 23 Months In Castro. Jail)
Approved For Release 2005/01/05 : CIA-RDP75-00149R000700650013-3