U.S. Immigration Policy for Cubans Called Wet Foot Dry Foot to End

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After 90 years, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to set foot on Cuban soil when he visited the Caribbean country in March 2016. The historic trip started a series of reforms in America’s foreign policy for Cuba. On Thursday, it was announced that President Obama has again made some last minute immigration policy decisions before he leaves the White House by putting an end to the wet foot, dry foot policy for Cubans.

Wet foot, dry foot policy

This immigration policy for Cubans was added in 1995 during the Cuban Adjustment Act revision, and was included in the Act in 1996. It was intended to isolate Cuba and was a policy that Obama has been trying to remove. Under the policy, Cubans apprehended in the waters between U.S. and Cuba as they try to enter the United States were to be immediately returned to Cuba (wet foot). However, a Cuban who will make it to the U.S. shore (dry foot), is allowed to stay in the U.S. and is qualified to apply for and expedited legal permanent resident status then can later apply to be a U.S. citizen.

Many people were criticizing the Act, which they say gives Cubans preferential treatment vis-à-vis the migrants from other countries. Cuba also said that the policy virtually encouraged more Cubans to cross treacherous waters in exchange for what they think will be a better life in the United States.

End to the policy

With the announcement, Cuban migrants will now be treated just like other migrants. It had taken months of negotiations with Cuba before the repeal to the policy can be announced. In the statement of the President, he said that the end to the policy is effective immediately. Therefore, Cuban nationals entering the U.S. illegally and are not qualified for humanitarian relief will be sent back to their country of origin. The Cuban government has agreed to the end of the policy and will be accepting the return of Cuban nationals apprehended at sea. The President added that Cuban migrants have enriched the culture of the U.S. He also said that during his term, Cuban-Americans were always considered when policies were made. Although the wet foot, dry foot policy is put to an end, the President said that America would still welcome immigrants from Cuba and other countries.

Acceptance

As always there will be those who readily accepted the news while others were against it. Immigrants from other countries can now breathe easier because the “preferential treatment” to one immigrant groups was removed. Others did not like the change in immigration policy for Cubans, saying that it will only promote the oppression of Cubans by their own government. Cuban-American Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey said that Cuba would be tightening the noose around its citizens’ neck with the repeal of the policy.

The policy’s termination will not affect Cubans who are already in the U.S. The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program will still be in effect.