This bill, named the Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act , aims to secure the immediate extradition or return of convicted felons and other fugitives from the United States who are currently receiving safe haven in Cuba. It specifically highlights individuals such as Joanne Chesimard , convicted of first-degree murder of a New Jersey State Trooper, and William "Guillermo" Morales , a bomb-maker responsible for terrorist attacks. The legislation asserts that numerous other fugitives, accused of crimes including hijacking, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder, are also residing in Cuba. Congress finds that existing bilateral extradition treaties between the United States and Cuba obligate the Cuban regime to return these individuals, noting past instances where Cuba has complied with such requests. The bill establishes a Sense of Congress that these fugitives must be extradited immediately, urging the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to leverage all appropriate diplomatic and policy tools. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of State to submit an annual report detailing efforts to secure these returns and assessing Cuba's active fulfillment of its extradition treaty obligations. This reporting requirement will continue until Cuba demonstrates consistent compliance. Finally, the Act prohibits the use of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account funds for programs or initiatives in Cuba. This prohibition remains in effect until the Cuban regime complies with both its extradition obligations and other existing legal conditions for the resumption of economic activity between the two nations.
Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
International Affairs
Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act
USA119th CongressS-834| Senate
| Updated: 3/4/2025
This bill, named the Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act , aims to secure the immediate extradition or return of convicted felons and other fugitives from the United States who are currently receiving safe haven in Cuba. It specifically highlights individuals such as Joanne Chesimard , convicted of first-degree murder of a New Jersey State Trooper, and William "Guillermo" Morales , a bomb-maker responsible for terrorist attacks. The legislation asserts that numerous other fugitives, accused of crimes including hijacking, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder, are also residing in Cuba. Congress finds that existing bilateral extradition treaties between the United States and Cuba obligate the Cuban regime to return these individuals, noting past instances where Cuba has complied with such requests. The bill establishes a Sense of Congress that these fugitives must be extradited immediately, urging the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to leverage all appropriate diplomatic and policy tools. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of State to submit an annual report detailing efforts to secure these returns and assessing Cuba's active fulfillment of its extradition treaty obligations. This reporting requirement will continue until Cuba demonstrates consistent compliance. Finally, the Act prohibits the use of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account funds for programs or initiatives in Cuba. This prohibition remains in effect until the Cuban regime complies with both its extradition obligations and other existing legal conditions for the resumption of economic activity between the two nations.