US Embassy in Cuba reopens visa and consular services
Misty Severi
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The U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, reopened its visa and consular services on Wednesday for the first time since an unexplained series of health incidents reduced the staff in 2017.
The embassy confirmed that it will begin processing immigrant visa requests, with priority given to those that will reunite with family in the U.S., and is expected to grant at least 20,000 visas a year.
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The return of granting visa requests comes as record numbers of Cubans flock to the U.S. border amid economic, energy, and political crises in the country. Cubans are now the second-largest nationality to enter the U.S. illegally through its southern border with Mexico. U.S. authorities reported stopping 34,675 Cubans from crossing illegally in November and 28,848 in October, according to the Associated Press.
It also follows a series of migration talks between U.S. Embassy officials and Cubans and delegation visits to the country. The talks could be a sign that the long-standing tension between the two countries is weakening.
“Engaging in these talks underscores our commitment to pursuing constructive discussions with the government of Cuba where appropriate to advance U.S. interests,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement in November following a migration discussion between U.S. and Cuban officials.
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President Joe Biden has eased some of the restrictions and sanctions against Cuba during his presidency, including allowing family travel from Miami to Cuba. However, tourists can still not travel to Cuba, and sanctions on the import and export of many goods remain in place.