U.S. Plans to Offer Cubans a Visa Lottery
WASHINGTON — The Clinton Administration announced plans Wednesday to distribute 5,000 to 6,000 immigration visas to Cubans by a lottery, giving a chance at resettlement to Cubans who thus far have been excluded.
Until now, visas have been largely restricted to Cubans who qualify for refugee status or those with close relatives in the United States who are American citizens.
The State Department announcement said Cubans selected through the lottery will be allowed to bring their spouses and minor children with them.
The announcement provided details on an agreement signed by the United States and Cuba on Sept. 9. Under that agreement, Cuba agreed to curb the exodus from the island by boat while the United States promised to grant a minimum of 20,000 visas annually.
Doris Meissner, commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, said the lottery will be limited to Cubans who would be self-sufficient on arrival in the United States.
The announcement also said “significant efforts†are under way to upgrade the facilities and improve the quality of life for Cubans being given shelter at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo and at U.S. military facilities in Panama.
More than 32,000 Cubans having been living at the two sites since this past summer. None is eligible for resettlement in the United States without returning to Cuba proper and applying for a visa through normal channels.
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