The Cuban government established the reasons to revoke citizenship from residents living abroad.
The regime unveiled the proposal for the Citizenship Bill, which has not been approved yet, but is most likely to be approved in July, during the next session of the National Assembly.
According to the regulations, it is the "president" who decides if a Cuban should be deprived of their citizenship, for which a Presidential Decree must be issued.
Chapter III "Deprivation of Cuban Citizenship" states in article 54 that Cubans cannot be deprived of their citizenship, except for causes established by law.
Subsequently, article 55.1 establishes two causes: one is to join any armed organization with the aim of attacking the territorial integrity of the Cuban State, its citizens, and other residents in the country.
The second cause is "from abroad carrying out acts contrary to the high political, economic, and social interests of Cuba, whenever this is considered by the corresponding citizenship authority," a proposal so broad that it could include any activity that the regime perceives as a threat, such as opponents or political activists.
In December, the government published a National List of Terrorists which included personalities and influencers from Miami such as Alexander Otaola, Eliecer Ávila, or Alain Lambert (Cuban Paparazzi), who could be involved in these cases, as they are accused of inciting "actions that affect social order in Cuba, through violent acts...".
The bill, in its article 55.2, adds that the citizenship authority will only revoke the citizenship of a Cuban if it is "indubitably verified" that they have incurred one of the causes, whether they have another citizenship or do not effectively reside in the country, and the corresponding Presidential Decree is issued.
However, the regulation argues that if someone engages in the cause and causes serious harm to the national security of Cuba, endangers the stability of the State, international relations, or the general health of the population, the citizenship authority may issue a Presidential Decree even if the requirements and formalities for processing the file are not met.
"The right to regain Cuban citizenship can only be exercised once, regardless of the cause of its loss," the text states.
The regime has been saying for decades that it was working on a Citizenship Law, but this has been repeatedly delayed. The lack of regulations allows the government to impose obligations on citizens without guaranteeing full rights, such as the right to enter and leave Cuba with a Cuban passport, even for those with dual nationality.
The new draft Law defines the requirements and procedures for the acquisition, renunciation, loss, and recovery of citizenship, as well as the registration thereof.
The loss of Cuban citizenship, whether by deprivation or renunciation, has an impact on the individual's immigration status and is subject to the provisions established by the Migration Law, which is also in the draft stage.
Both regulations, which must be approved next month, are highly intertwined.
The new Citizenship Law is necessary to regulate the process of renouncing citizenship, a possibility now available to Cuban adults residing abroad and holding another citizenship, in order to prevent cases of statelessness.
The Migration Law, for its part, will establish that Cubans who renounce their citizenship will be considered foreigners, and for the purposes of entering and leaving the country, they will be subject to presenting a foreign passport and visa.
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