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Cuba to scrap travel restrictions on emigrants
Cuba to scrap travel restrictions on emigrants
| Published: | 20 Apr at 2 PM |
The government of Cuba has revealed its plans to scrap some of the restrictions placed on its citizens that prevent them from emigrating abroad, reports the India Times.
The president of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, said that the country is building towards a radical and profound emigration reform. Although he did not reveal many details, he referred to it as a priority issue for Cuba. He insisted that the emigration issue is one which the Cuban government is currently discussing at its highest level.
Alarcon said that emigration was among the issues which the US has manipulated the most since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The Caribbean nation has imposed tight travel restrictions for almost 50 years, but they have been unable to prevent thousands of citizens emigrating illegally each year – often on unsafe boats over dangerous waters.
Since 1966, the US government has granted citizens of Cuba automatic residence if they have managed to get to the country. To illegally travel overseas, Cubans must be in possession of a 30-day permit, which can then be extended 10 times. Once the 330 days are up, travellers have to go back to Cuba or lose their right to return permanently.
The president of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, said that the country is building towards a radical and profound emigration reform. Although he did not reveal many details, he referred to it as a priority issue for Cuba. He insisted that the emigration issue is one which the Cuban government is currently discussing at its highest level.
Alarcon said that emigration was among the issues which the US has manipulated the most since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The Caribbean nation has imposed tight travel restrictions for almost 50 years, but they have been unable to prevent thousands of citizens emigrating illegally each year – often on unsafe boats over dangerous waters.
Since 1966, the US government has granted citizens of Cuba automatic residence if they have managed to get to the country. To illegally travel overseas, Cubans must be in possession of a 30-day permit, which can then be extended 10 times. Once the 330 days are up, travellers have to go back to Cuba or lose their right to return permanently.
