Over 36,000 Cubans Got US Residency in 2011

HAVANA TIMES, April 12 — A total of 36,452 Cubans became permanent US residents in 2011, which makes this the sixth largest national group among those who have managed to legalize their immigration status in that country, reported the Café Fuerte website.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s annual report on immigration, this figure represents 3.4 percent of the total beneficiaries in the United States, placing Cuba behind Mexico, China, India, Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.

The report, released Monday, shows an increase of nearly 3,000 Cubans with respect to the 33,573 who received permanent residency in 2010.

Cuban immigrants can regularize their status as permanent residents through either claiming family sponsorship or by staying for a year in the United States after arriving illegally.