STATE DEPARTMENT CRITICIZES CUBAN POLICY OF BARRING THOSE WHO LEAVE ILLEGALLY FROM RETURNING

A recently announced Cuban government policy to bar the return of people who left the country illegally is being criticized by the U.S. State Department. According to Department spokesman Philip Reeker, the decision is inconsistent with the right to travel freely, a right recognized by international law. The Department does, however, understand that each country has the right and obligation to establish its own immigration laws.

According to Cuban officials the new policy is meant to discourage illegal migration from the island, but it could impact thousands of Cubans no longer living on the island but who want to return to see friends and family. Old Cuban policy in this area allowed people to return after they had spent five years out of the country. According to the Miami Herald, which reported the new policy, there are 110,000 Cubans living in the U.S. who return for visits each year.

Despite criticizing the Cuban government’s decision, State Department spokesman Reeker did say the U.S. is "extremely worried" about recent increases in the number of Cubans being smuggled off the island. There are 20,000 visas available each year for Cubans who wish to immigrate to the U.S. legally.

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