US-Cuba Migration Talks Pushed Back

HAVANA TIMES, Dec. 6 – A new round of talks over migration policy between the United States has been pushed back by two months to February for undisclosed reasons.

An anonymous US State Department official was cited by The Voice of America as informing on the delayed talks but gave no reason.  The first round of negotiations took place last July.

Under the current US policy (The Cuban Adjustment Act) Cubans who can make it alive to US territory are awarded with fast track residency and other assistance.  Those picked up at sea by the US Coast Guard are routinely sent back to the island.

Cuba derides the US policy as tempting people to risk their lives and even those of their children to get to reach Florida.  The Cuban government hopes talks would lead to a more safe and orderly immigration based on visas granted in Havana.

The US is the only country in the Americas without diplomatic relations with Cuba and also maintains a half century economic blockade on the island.  Ordinary US citizens are banned by their government from visiting Cuba without a special Treasury Dept. license.