The US embassy in Havana announced this Wednesday that “complete resumption” of visa issuance from 2023 to immigrants in Cuba, which has been suspended for almost five years at a time when the island is experiencing mass immigration.
“As part of the extension of normal routes, in early 2023, the US Embassy in Havana will resume full processing of immigrant visas for the first time since 2017,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement posted on its website. Said.
The US consulate, which was closed this year due to sonic attacks on its diplomatic staff, began issuing visas in Havana in May, but it’s a trickle. Most applicants had to travel to other countries to complete the process.
The U.S. Embassy stressed that “expanding the regular routes available for Cubans” who want to travel to the United States is aimed at “facilitating a safe, orderly, humane and orderly immigration.” The announcement comes as the country faces its worst economic crisis in nearly 30 years due to the pandemic and the effects of US sanctions.
According to the embassy, the full resumption of visa delivery to immigrants and the family reunification program in August constitutes a “significant effort” to deliver “at least 20,000” visas annually. To Cubans because of the 1994-1995 bilateral immigration agreements.
In May, Cuba and the United States resumed annual immigration negotiations after a four-year suspension under the Donald Trump administration. The Cuban Interior Ministry said delegations from Washington and Havana met to “increase bilateral cooperation” against irregular immigration.
source: Noticias
