The United States Embassy in Cuba does not plan to reissue nonimmigrant visas (tourism, work, study or medical treatment, among others) “soon” due to staff shortages and given the expectation of “extremely high” demand.
“I don’t know when we will be able to.”recognized in a Interview with EFE US Chargé d’Affaires in Havana Benjamin ZivIn response to a question about when the UNHCR in Cuba can issue those visas again, which is what the island regime has demanded.
“I don’t think it will happen soon. We have to be in a position to do that.”“The intent is there,” added Ziv, who stressed that he avoided talking about deadlines.
The diplomat noted that the embassy “had a minimum of five years of staff,” referring to the bilateral controversy surrounding the so-called “Havana syndrome,” which was supposedly caused by “sonic attacks” that would have affected diplomats from the United States. American. Canada and their relatives on the island.
The embassy now has a “third” of its staff for six or seven years and it will take “some time” to restore it.due to the bureaucratic processes of the US administration and the logistical difficulties in Cuba, noted its senior official, who arrived in Havana in 2022.
As pointed out “There are a large number” of other visas “still to be processed,” including visas for family reunification, which are a “priority” for Washington.He noted that his forecasts indicated that the demand for non-immigrant visas would be “extremely high” among Cubans.
Cuba is going through an unprecedented wave of emigration amid its biggest economic crisis in decades. In 2022, more than 313 thousand Cubans immigrated to the United States, which is about 3% of its population. Tens of thousands more walked to Mexico, Spain and other countries, although there are no official figures showing the scale of the exodus.
The chargé d’affaires referred to the economic reasons to explain this trend, and emphasized that the factors that “push” immigration from Cuba “are more important than any other attraction factor,” when asked about the economic sanctions imposed by Washington and its regulations such as Cuban ones. Amendment Act, which facilitates permanent residence for citizens of the island.
“I believe that the Cuban economy is the responsibility of the Cuban government and that the Cuban government is responsible for improving the economy so that people don’t want to leave”he answered.
Ziff did not anticipate major changes for Cuban immigrants with the controversial midnight ending of Title 42, a rule that allowed immediate expulsion of immigrants who crossed the border irregularly on public health grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He emphasized, however, the Joe Biden administration’s emphasis on immigration control: “As we expand legal channels, we’re trying to make the penalties for irregular immigration tougher.”
“Cubans should benefit from the Humanitarian Parole Program, the Family Reunification Program, Diversity Visas, and all of these programs are legal. Because if you were to go to (try to get to the United States via) the sea (…) you could no longer qualify for the Humanitarian Parole Program, you would be sent back to Cuba. You will put yourself in danger and risk your life for nothing.”
The chargé d’affaires added that trying to reach the US irregularly via the southern border also has negative consequences, including the new measure, which deems these immigrants pre-qualified to seek asylum.
As pointed out The United States expects an “increase in deportation flights” of so-called “not allowed” immigrants to all countries, “not just to Cuba.” “We expect a regular flow (of flights) according to needs,” he added.
to me The Humanitarian Parole Program indicated that more than 20,000 Cubans have benefited from it since its inception in early 2023. He stressed that he is not aware of “any particular plan to change” this system, as people from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti can immigrate to the United States if the “sponsor” supports them legally and financially.
The US charge d’affaires considered that the existence of a “correct and limited technical channel of communication” with Cuba to discuss immigration is “critical” for both countries, “very constructive” and “effective and useful”.
The governments of the United States and Cuba hold thematic meetings at least twice a year on this issue, as part of a series of mid-level technical meetings that they hold.
He continued that cooperation in other areas is limited by the human rights issue, the United States’ “overriding concern” with Cuba. He noted that this is “the main obstacle to improving relations in all areas, something we deal with frequently with the Cuban government.”
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