The new measures related to Cuba announced on Monday by the government of US President Joe Biden eliminate some of the restrictions imposed by the previous administration of Donald Trump, especially on the immigration issue.
–
–
–
What changes in immigration from Cuba?
The statement issued by the State Department reports the reinstatement of the Cuban Parole Program for Family Reunification (CFRP).
What is the CPRF?
Created in 2007, the CFRP allows citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States to apply for a document (parole) that allows them to enter the United States without having to wait for their immigrant visa cases to be processed according to the quotas. assigned.
Once in the US, beneficiaries of the CFRP program can request authorization to work while they wait to adjust their status as legal permanent residents.
–
–
–
Was CFPR no longer working?
After the outbreak of a rare illness that affected tens of dozens of diplomats at the US embassy in Havana, in what is now known as “Havana syndrome,” the Trump administration withdrew most of its staff. at the diplomatic headquarters in Cuba in 2017, and the CFPR program was paralyzed.
However, in September 2015 the embassy had already announced that all interviews for CFRP beneficiaries would be held at another location, which was first in Panama and later transferred to Guyana.
–
–
–
Will the CFPR resume in Havana?
Monday’s statement from the State Department says the US “will increase consular services and visa processing to enable more Cubans to join their families in the United States through regular migration channels.”
On May 5, the United States embassy in Cuba had resumed, in a very limited way, the processing of visas on the island for parents of United States citizens and warned that the conditions for the regular processing of visas in Havana and that the mechanism was still in Guyana.
What other measures did the US announce?
Other measures include the authorization of regular flights to destinations other than the Cuban capital, educational exchanges known as “people to people” contact, and strengthening companies to send remittances, activities that were also suspended by the administration. previous.
The statement expressed that the measures would give “support to the Cuban people with the provision of additional mechanisms so that they can aspire to a life free from the oppression of the Cuban government and seek greater economic opportunities.”
How will remittances change?
The current limits on money transfers for remittances of $1,000 per quarter will no longer be in effect and “donation remittances” are now added, which can be sent to non-family members, the US government said.
Remittances through the Western Union company were suspended in 2020 by decision of the Trump administration, alleging that they were a source of income for the Government of Miguel Díaz-Canel. Now Washington has said that it wants them to “flow more freely” to and from Cubans, “without enriching those who commit human rights abuses.”
–
–
–
What does the US foresee for the future?
The statement states that the administration wants to encourage the growth of the private sector in Cuba by supporting greater access to US internet services, applications and e-commerce platforms, but does not explain the mechanisms.
“We will support new avenues for electronic payments and for US business activities with independent Cuban entrepreneurs, including increased access to microfinance and training,” the note said.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel YouTube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter e Instagram.
–
–
