Performers given political asylum

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 11:09 a.m.

The Cuban cast members of "Havana Night Club" were prepared to appear at the Social Security Administration office this morning to apply for Social Security numbers after receiving word their request for political asylum had been granted.

Nicole "N.D." Durr -- the creator, producer and director of the revue that has been at the Stardust since August -- said the troupe began receiving their letters of approval Tuesday, with the last batch for the 49 Cuban expatriates arriving Thursday.

"This is very significant," Durr said following Thursday night's performance. "Now those who have family still in Cuba can request that they be allowed to come to the United States."

People granted political asylum can list immediate family members on their applications who they would like to have join them in the United States.

Durr said probably only six members of the cast would make the request. It could take several months for the families to come to this country, if they are permitted by the Cuban government to leave.

The Social Security numbers are important, Durr said, because it will allow the Cubans to establish bank accounts and transact business.

The saga of the performers began last summer, when the company was to arrive from Cuba for a six-week engagement in Las Vegas.

But the Cuban government refused to allow the cast to leave, until in August it relented and permitted the performers to leave individually rather than as a group.

It took several weeks for the entire cast to regroup in Vegas.

In November all but two of them requested political asylum.

Bill Strassberger, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said that asylum applications are usually processed in about two months, but he couldn't comment on why the group's application took longer.

Members of the group are now considered temporary residents. Durr said being granted asylum is a step toward citizenship for the group.

People granted political asylum can apply for what's called permanent residence one year after the date they receive asylum, and then they can become citizens five years after becoming permanent residents, Strassberger said.

Before that goal is achieved, the Cubans will receive permanent work permits.

Meanwhile, their production -- presented by Siegfried & Roy -- will continue at least through the first week in September.

Since its premiere for a limited engagement on Aug. 21 it has been extended four times.

"Havana" features a cast of 50 Cuban dancers, singers and musicians who trace the origin of dance in the island nation, covering hundreds of years of musical history.

Sun reporter Timothy Pratt contributed to this story.