The United States has imposed new immigration restrictions that will affect Cuban and Venezuelan citizens starting June 9, as part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The measure addresses national security concerns and the limited level of cooperation between both governments on consular, police, and deportation issues.
In the case of Cuba, the executive order specifically suspends the entry of individuals holding visas in the following categories:
B-1 (business)
B-2 (tourism)
B-1/B-2 (mixed)
F (students)
M (technical studies)
J (cultural exchange)
According to the official document, Cuba was included for being a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" and for its historical refusal to cooperate with the United States on security and deportations. It also notes that the island has high overstay rates for B-1/B-2 visas (7.69%) and F/M/J visas (18.75%), which was key in justifying the restriction.
"The Government of Cuba does not cooperate or share sufficient information regarding law enforcement with the United States," the text states.
Are all visas suspended?
No. The measure does not completely prevent the issuance of all visas, but it requires consular officials to reduce the validity of other non-immigrant visas to the extent allowed by law. Additionally, new B, F, M, or J visas for Cuban citizens will no longer be issued starting June 9.
Natalia Molano, spokesperson for the State Department in South Florida, explained in an interview with Martí Noticias that, although there are exceptions, the order will be implemented "to the letter."
Who is exempt?
The White House confirmed exceptions for:
- Permanent legal residents (green card holders)
- Individuals with valid visas issued before June 9, although these will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- Visa applicants under family categories IR (parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens)
- Individuals whose entry is of national or political interest to the U.S.
Regarding humanitarian cases, Molano clarified that the order does not mention an explicit category for this type of requests, as there is no humanitarian visa per se, although individual exceptions could be considered.
A possible option for some is the use of dual nationality. If a Cuban also holds a passport from a country not included in the proclamation, they could enter the U.S. using that document, provided they have a valid visa.
And what if I am a Cuban resident in the U.S.?
Permanent residents with a Cuban passport should not have issues returning to the U.S., although the State Department spokesperson warned that the final decision always rests with the border agents.
"Entry to the United States is a privilege for foreigners. Nothing is guaranteed 100%," Molano emphasized.
What prompted the measure?
Government sources indicated that the order was signed following the antisemitic attack that took place in Boulder, Colorado the previous Sunday. Although the proclamation had been in preparation since March, the incident hastened its approval, arguing that it would strengthen border control and prevent threats.
Reactions and context
The measure recalls the "migration bans" promoted by Trump during his first term (2013-2017), which sparked controversy and numerous legal challenges. The Cuban regime described this recent executive order as “racist” and harmful on Thursday.
The official response came through Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez, who published a message on the social network X (formerly Twitter), accusing Washington of acting under pressure from anti-Cuban politicians and of threatening family ties.
The proclamation also emphasizes that immigration policy will remain under dynamic review, which opens the possibility of new restrictions or future relaxations, depending on the cooperation of the countries involved.
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