Support Travel for All to Cuba
For half a century, the United States citizens have been prohibited from traveling to Cuba and the United States have enforced failed embargos against Cuba. The ban on travel to Cuba has been enforced through Executive Orders and regulations rather than by stature. Cuba is the only country that U.S. citizens are not allowed to freely visit.
For half a century, the United States citizens have been prohibited from traveling to Cuba and the United States have enforced failed embargos against Cuba. The ban on travel to Cuba has been enforced through Executive Orders and regulations rather than by stature. Cuba is the only country that U.S. citizens are not allowed to freely visit.
Five years ago President Bush tightened the travel restriction—prevented Cuban-Americans from traveling to Cuba. As described by the Bush administration, Cubans were only allowed to visit immediate family once a every three year for less than 14 days and they were allowed to spend no more than $50 a day. Also Cuban-Americans were only allowed to send $300 once a quarter to relatives in Cuba. Also under the Bush administration, a special license had to be obtained for individuals to travel to Cuba. During Senator Obama campaign for president, he promised to lift the limits that President George W. Bush on Cuban-Americans wanting to visit and send money to relatives. Since taking office, President Obama has ordered a complete review of U.S. policy on Cuba On March 10, President Obama’s administration eased the travel restrictions to Cuba for Cuban-Americans with family on the island, making it legal for them to visit their immediate and extended relatives on the island once a year—for as long as they like and they are allowed to spend up to $170 a day without fear of persecution. The new law blocks the government from enforcing the Bush rules. However, the guidelines still stop short of Obama’s campaign promise to remove all travel limits for all Americans.
All Americans still cannot freely travel to Cuba without obtaining a special license. With the current law, travel to Cuba by Cuban-Americans more than once a year is illegal. As Americans we have a right to travel anywhere in the world as many times a year as we like. A majority of Americans and Cuban Americans support unrestricted travel to Cuba for all. This easing of travel restrictions by the Obama administration is probably just one step in the transition toward a new Cuba policy. However, Congress has the power to end the ban on travel to Cuba. It is important for you to write and call your representatives requesting their support of House Bill H.R. 874 and Senate Bill S.428. Contact your members of Congress today to ask them to support legislation on “travel for all to Cuba” by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (2020) 224-3121.