Cuba welcomes end of US ‘wet foot/dry foot’ immigration policy

World
Europe

The Cuban government said on Thursday that the signing of a bilateral accord ending the US "wet foot/dry foot" immigration policy is "positive" and "an important step ahead" in bilateral relations.

US President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States is ending its longstanding policy that granted residency to Cubans who arrive in the US without visas.

Cuban migrants, who reached Panama in September 2016 in their attempt to get to the United States, play in the Pastoral Social Caritas Panama shelter in Panama City on January 12, 2017. /CFP Photo

Adopted in 1995, the policy allowed Cubans to obtain permanent residence a year after entering US territory even by illegal means, which was always considered by Cuban authorities as an encouragement to illegal migration and human trafficking.

A statement from the Cuban government stressed that the move is aimed at "ensuring a regular, safe and ordered migration."

Cuba agreed to take back its citizens detected by the US authorities when they try to enter or stay irregularly in that country, violating its laws.

US President Barack Obama (L) and Cuban President Raul Castro attend a Major League Baseball exhibition game at the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana on March 22, 2016. /CFP Photo

Both governments agreed to apply their migration laws in a non-selective manner and in accordance with their international obligations.

The two countries also agreed to coordinate with each other to ensure the effective implementation of this agreement, including corresponding operational procedures for law enforcement bodies.

This Cuba-US deal comes a week before Obama leaves office.

(Story by Xinhua)