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  6. Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Continued Normalization of our Migration Relationship with Cuba

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Statement by Secretary Johnson on the Continued Normalization of our Migration Relationship with Cuba

Release Date: January 12, 2017

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

The United States is revoking the so-called “wet-foot/dry-foot” policy for Cuban migrants that has been in place since the mid-1990s. Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to illegally enter the United States will be subject to removal, consistent with our enforcement priorities. The United States is also ending the special Cuban Medical Professional Parole program.

These actions are part of the ongoing normalization of relations between the governments of the United States and Cuba, and reflect a commitment to have a broader immigration policy in which we treat people from different countries consistently. To the extent permitted by the current laws of our two countries, the United States will now treat Cuban migrants in a manner consistent with how it treats others; unauthorized migrants can expect to be removed unless they qualify for humanitarian relief under our laws.  

The Government of Cuba has agreed to begin to accept the return of Cuban nationals who have been ordered removed. Cuba and the United States will work to further discourage unlawful migration to the United States and promote bilateral cooperation to prevent and prosecute alien smuggling and other crimes related to illegal migration.

Though the Cuban Adjustment Act and certain Cuban laws remain in effect, today’s announcement goes a long way to putting our relationship with Cuba on equal terms with our relationships with other neighbors.

To view the Joint Statement of the United States and Cuban governments, please click here. To view the Fact Sheet, please click here.

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12 de enero de 2017

Contacto: Oficina de prensa del DHS, 202-282-8010

 

DECLARACIÓN DEL SECRETARIO JOHNSON CON RELACIÓN AL PROCESO CONTINUO DE NORMALIZACIÓN DE NUESTRA RELACIÓN MIGRATORIA CON CUBA

Los Estados Unidos revocan hoy la llamada política de “pies secos/pies mojados” para migrantes cubanos, vigente desde la mitad de los años 90. Con efecto inmediato, los nacionales cubanos que intenten entrar ilegalmente a los Estados Unidos estarán sujetos a ser devueltos a Cuba, en consonancia con nuestras prioridades de aplicación de la ley. Los Estados Unidos también ponen fin al programa especial “Cuban Medical Professional Parole” (admisión provisional para profesionales cubanos de la salud).

Estas acciones forman parte del proceso continuo de normalización de las relaciones entre los Gobiernos de los Estados Unidos y de Cuba, y reflejan el compromiso de contar con una política de inmigración más amplia que trata de manera consistente a personas de diferentes países. Hasta donde permiten las leyes actuales de nuestros dos países, los Estados Unidos tratarán ahora a los migrantes cubanos en concordancia con la forma que tratan a los ciudadanos de otros países. Asimismo, los migrantes no autorizados pueden esperar ser devueltos a menos que cumplan los requisitos para poder recibir socorro humanitario conforme a nuestras leyes.

El Gobierno de Cuba está de acuerdo en comenzar a aceptar el regreso de nacionales cubanos con órdenes de retorno. Cuba y los Estados Unidos seguirán colaborando para desalentar aún más la migración ilegal a los Estados Unidos y fomentar la cooperación bilateral para prevenir y procesar el contrabando de personas y otros delitos relacionados con la migración ilegal.

Aunque la Ley de Ajuste Cubano y ciertas leyes cubanas siguen vigentes, la declaración hecha hoy contribuye considerablemente a que nuestra relación con Cuba logre estar en igualdad de condiciones con respecto a nuestras relaciones con otros países vecinos.
 

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Last Updated: 12/06/2023
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