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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Cuban immigration surges after thaw in US-Cuba relations

Cuban immigration surges after thaw in US-Cuba relations
By David Adams and Zachary Fagenson

MIAMI (Reuters) - The number of Cuban migrants looking to enter the
United States ballooned in early 2015, partly driven by uncertainty over
the future of special immigration consideration for Cubans after the two
countries announced efforts to improve ties.

In the first three months of the year, 9,371 Cubans arrived in the
United States, mostly on the Mexico border and in Miami, an increase of
118 percent over same period in 2014, according to U.S. Customs and
Border Protection.

Experts say the numbers indicate a surge since the Dec. 17 announcement
of efforts by the presidents of Cuba and the United States to restore
diplomatic ties and work to normalize relations after more than 50 years
of hostility.

"Cubans on the island are increasingly concerned that the special legal
status that they have under current U.S. law might be taken away," said
Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida
International University.

Under the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act of 1966 Cubans who reach U.S.
soil have the right to stay and seek residency, a status not offered to
any other nationality. A policy known as "wet foot, dry foot" means only
those Cubans intercepted at sea are sent back to their communist-run island.

The Obama administration has tried to dispel rumors the welcome mat for
Cubans will be withdrawn. "The Administration's recent announcement
regarding Cuba has not changed or altered in any significant way the
Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act," the Customs and Border Protection agency
said in a statement to Reuters.

Iris Calle, a spokeswoman for Miami's Church World Services, which
offers assistance to new arrivals, says it has been inundated with Cuban
refugees since mid-December.

Lady Castillo Miranda, who was waiting to meet a caseworker, told
Reuters she and her brother were among 13 aboard a boat that came ashore
on Dec 28. A 23-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, Cuba, Miranda said she
had attempted two crossings in the last two years. "I had to try again
because I heard the law was going to change," she said.

The U.S. Coast Guard says it spotted 2,500 migrants since the start of
the fiscal year on Oct. 1, almost all of whom were repatriated. The
Coast Guard counted 3,677 Cubans seeking to reach Florida during its
2014 fiscal year.

Many cross the 90-mile (140-km) Florida Straits on makeshift rafts.
Those who reach soil usually come on sturdier home-made boats.

\U.S. officials note that the numbers of migrants were already trending
upwards before the Dec. 17 accords.

(Additional reporting by Francisco Alvarado; Editing by Frances Kerry)

Source: Cuban immigration surges after thaw in US-Cuba relations - Yahoo
News -
http://news.yahoo.com/cuban-immigration-surges-thaw-us-cuba-relations-235133601.html;_ylt=AwrC2Q5EX1RVfQsAqxTQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBydWNmY2MwBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM0BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--

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