The pending action before Congress that would limit the number of family visits to Cuba and restrict the amount of remittances Cuban Americans can send is cruel and misguided.

Throughout 52 years of Communist oppression, Cubans on the island have looked to their relatives in the United States as their primary source of nongovernmental support and hope for a better life.

A large number of recipients of the remittances are members of a younger generation born after the revolution.

To hold them accountable for that government’s actions and deny them material and emotional support from their families is nothing short of mean-spirited.

Curtailing remittances and trips is simply a bad policy that will delay Cuba’s transition to capitalism and democracy. To shut down that source of microfinancing at this critical stage in Cuba’s history will result in the death of many small businesses in Cuba and the death of hope for a better life for Cubans.

Pedro A. Freyre, Miami