Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act
The Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act is a Senate bill that urges the immediate extradition or return to the United States of Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur), William “Guillermo” Morales, and other fugitives residing in Cuba who are believed to be safe havens from U.S. prosecution or confinement. The bill frames these individuals as dangerous fugitives tied to past terrorist and criminal acts and seeks to use diplomatic pressure and federal policy tools to secure their extradition. It also creates a formal annual reporting requirement to monitor Cuba’s compliance with extradition obligations and imposes funding restrictions on U.S. security assistance to Cuba until Cuba is deemed to be in compliance. The act is named in honor of victims, including Trooper Werner Foerster and Frank Connor, and would condition certain U.S. funding and policy actions on Cuba’s cooperation with extradition treaties. In short, the bill elevates extradition as a priority, mandates ongoing oversight and reporting on Cuba’s compliance, and links Cuba’s cooperation to the availability of U.S. funding for international narcotics control and law enforcement programs.
Key Points
- 1Immediate extradition or return demanded: Requires the United States to pursue the extradition or return of Chesimard, Morales, and other fugitives in Cuba to face U.S. justice, aligning with existing extradition treaties with Cuba.
- 2Findings and history cited: Recites past crimes attributed to Chesimard and Morales, notes prior Cuban returns of fugitives, and references relevant treaties (1904 and 1926 bilateral accords) to justify the push for cooperation.
- 3Annual reporting and determination: Mandates a State-Department/Attorney General coordinated annual report (and a first report within 180 days) detailing steps taken, a determination of Cuba’s compliance with extradition obligations, and estimates of other fugitives in Cuba. A sunset is triggered if two consecutive annual reports show Cuba is actively fulfilling obligations and returning fugitives.
- 4Sense of Congress and diplomacy: Declares it is the sense of Congress that Cuba must extradite or return fugitives promptly and that the executive branch should use all appropriate diplomatic tools to secure cooperation.
- 5Funding restriction contingent on compliance: Prohibits use of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INL) funds for programs in Cuba until Cuba meets the stated conditions and resumes any necessary economic activity in line with LIBERTAD Act requirements.