(CMR) Cabinet recently approved amendments to the Customs &Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) Regulations, 2019, which seek to introduce the requirement for in-transit visas for Cuban nationals.
Statistics show that Cuban nationals travel through the Cayman Islands and then onto other South American or Central American countries on a return ticket but, in some cases, do not return.
The amendments to the Regulations are to ensure that the visa application poses the appropriate questions and includes the pertinent data points to assist the Customs & Border Control (CBC) Visa Officer in making the decisions to approve or deny visas.
People are leaving their homes in search of safety and a better life, which has resulted in global unauthorized migration occurring more frequently. Considering the “push” and “pull” factors, migrants are risking everything to escape conflict, disaster, poverty, or hunger.
Caribbean nations are not exempt from this trend as Haitian and Cuban citizens have traversed the Caribbean Sea with the intention of arriving in the United States and thereafter seeking asylum.
From November 2021 to November 2023, statistics from CBC and Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) show that 12,381 persons traveled on a round-trip ticket on Cayman Airways (CAL) from Havana, Cuba, however only 3,116 persons returned on the said ticket.
The irregular migration of Cuban nationals is attributed to various risks to the Cayman Islands, namely, reputational risk, risks of sanctions, risks of cancellation of routes for CAL, risks of visa restrictions for Caymanians, and risks of increased applications for asylum by Cuban nationals in transit.
Therefore, the Ministry of Border Control, Labour & Culture is taking measures to introduce an in-transit visa for Cuban nationals to reduce the risk of irregular migration and to disincentivize passengers from Cuba from exploiting the Cayman Islands or CAL during irregular migration.
Minister for Border Control, Labour & Culture, Hon Dwayne Seymour, stated, “Securing our borders isn't just about lines on a map; it's about safeguarding our nation's integrity and ensuring the safety of our citizens. By taking proactive measures to manage irregular migration, we not only mitigate risks but also uphold the values of order and security that define us as a nation.”
The amended Customs & Border Control (Visas, Entry and Landing) Regulations 2019 in-transit Visa requirements for Cuban nationals will come into effect on 5 August 2024.
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