Miguel Díaz-Canel shared some intriguing reflections on the deportations of immigrants from the United States and their implications for Cuba this Tuesday, amidst the new immigration restrictions imposed by Washington.
During an interview with four Spanish communicators recorded as part of the "Coloquio Patria," Díaz-Canel criticized the mass deportations from the United States.
He described them as "irresponsible" on the part of the U.S. government, which he accused of having previously encouraged immigration, citing the Cuban case as a paradigmatic example due to the Cuban Adjustment Act, which grants advantages to citizens of the island over others.
"I believe it is irresponsible, it is unjust, that a country which has encouraged emigration, which has sold the American dream not only to Cubans, but to Latin Americans and people from all over the world, is now talking about massive, unfair deportations, on what legal basis? On what legal concepts?", he questioned.
The Cuban leader described the policy as "aggressive, brutal, and inhumane" regarding the mass deportations.
“I believe that what must prevail in relations between countries in the world, what must prevail in addressing a global issue like immigration, is that there is harmony and that there is a guarantee for people to exercise their rights and not repression... and much less mass deportations,” he also said, mentioning words that burn on his lips.
Díaz-Canel not only spoke about the need to seek "a guarantee for people to exercise their rights," but also, in a curious gesture of kindness, indicated that the government he presides over has "prohibited" deportees from disembarking the plane handcuffed.
Hello, as if simply returning to Cuba no already implied a symbolic sentence of wearing handcuffs and a gag.
"We in Cuba have prohibited people arriving in Cuba to do so handcuffed. A deportee to Cuba cannot arrive handcuffed. We do not accept that. No one arrives in Cuban territory handcuffed. There must also be dignity when a migration agreement is reached. It's a very sensitive matter for the individuals involved in those situations," he said.
Díaz-Canel also proudly stated that deportations are not new for Cuba, as there is an existing immigration agreement with the U.S. that regulates this matter for the island.
“That which appears new to other countries, we have in agreement with the U.S., but we do not accept pressure regarding deportation. We are working with concepts that are true to those migration agreements,” he noted.
The ruler specified that the reason Cuba entered into those agreements was to promote "an orderly migration, a safe emigration, and an immigration through legal channels."
Díaz-Canel also referred to reforms in Cuba's immigration policy that removed restrictions preventing Cubans from leaving the country, and he made a sarcastic comment about Cubans who left the country legally only to become "illegal" by undertaking the Central American journeys to reach the southern border of the U.S.
Without the slightest sense of self-criticism regarding the critical economic situation that has forced thousands of Cubans to leave their lives behind in search of a better future, Díaz-Canel dismissively listed those who undertook difficult journeys through Central America.
“They are the ones you see passing through Mexico; some have gotten caught up in the Darién mess, while others come from Central American countries trying to reach the border. They left Cuba legally, yet they end up becoming illegal due to those policies,” he said.
In the final part of that segment, Díaz-Canel referred to a commitment that the United States has not always fulfilled, which is to grant at least 20,000 visas.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cuban Migrants from the U.S.
What does Díaz-Canel think about the mass deportations of Cubans from the U.S.?
Díaz-Canel considers that the mass deportations of Cubans from the United States are "irresponsible" and "aggressive". The Cuban leader criticizes these actions of the U.S. government, accusing it of previously encouraging immigration and implementing "inhumane" policies.
How is U.S. immigration policy affecting Cuba?
The U.S. immigration policy is increasing pressure on Cuba by causing a massive exodus of citizens. The administration of Donald Trump has tightened immigration policies, leading to an increase in deportations and a migration crisis on the island.
What measures has the Cuban government taken regarding deportations from the U.S.?
The Cuban government has established that deportees will not be disembarked handcuffed at the airport. Additionally, it has expressed its willingness to receive deportees as long as the existing bilateral agreements between both countries are respected.
What are the causes of the massive exodus of Cubans to the U.S.?
The massive exodus of Cubans is due to the critical economic situation, political repression, and lack of opportunities on the island. These conditions have pushed thousands of Cubans to seek a better life outside of Cuba, despite the risks involved in irregular migration.
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