The US and Cuba discuss migration agreements and resumption of consular services in Havana

The US Department of State announced that US and Cuban officials met this Tuesday in Havana to discuss the implementation of the current Migration Agreements between the two countries.

These bilateral discussions on migration are generally held on a semi-annual basis. This is the second meeting held this year, when Cuba lives one of the biggest exoduses of its recent history.

The Deputy Undersecretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Emily Mendrala, led the US delegation and Cuba’s Vice Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossio, led the Cuban delegation.

The Migration Agreements signed in 1984, 1994, 1995 and 2017 establish Washington’s obligation to grant a minimum of 20,000 visas to Cuban emigrants annually. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump withdrew his diplomatic staff on charges of alleged sonic attacks To him eployees.

Trump put an end to the rapprochement initiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, and since then said agreements had ceased to be fulfilled.

“The US delegation highlighted areas of successful cooperation on migration, while also identifying issues that have been obstacles to meeting the goals of the Accords,” a State Department spokesperson told reporters. “Participating in these talks underscores our commitment to engage in constructive talks with the Government of Cuba when appropriate to advance US interests.”

The United States also addressed the issue of consular services at its embassy in Havana, to include visas and other assistance to US citizens.

During a visit to Cuba on November 10, the Under Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, reported that the US mission in Havana would resume full processing of immigrant visas as of January 4, 2023, to include immigrant visas. immediate relatives, family preference and diversity.

“Ensuring safe, regular, and humane migration between Cuba and the United States remains a mutual interest of both countries and is consistent with the interests of the United States in fostering family reunification and promoting greater respect for human rights and freedoms. fundamentals in Cuba”, concluded the Department of State.

The US authorities made almost 221,000 arrests of Cubans in the fiscal year that ended on September 30, which represents an increase of 471% compared to the previous year, according to data from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

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