US, Cuba discuss human trafficking as migrant numbers surge

US, Cuba discuss human trafficking as migrant numbers surge

Miami (AFP) - The United States and Cuba held talks this week on human
smuggling amid a surge in Cuban immigrants trying to reach the United
States, the State Department said on Friday.

The "technical talks," which took place from February 1 to February 4 in
Miami, were announced only after they were wrapped up.

The delegations exchanged "information and best practices related to
combating human smuggling and travel document fraud, which is important
to advancing both countries' commitment to ensuring safe, legal, and
orderly migration," the State Department said in a statement.

The number of Cubans trying to reach the United States has skyrocketed
in recent months, with thousands traveling through Central America in
their bid to reach the US border, creating enormous strains in the region.

The State Department said it was concerned for the safety of "all
migrants" in the region attempting to enter other countries without a
visa or other authorization.

"These dangerous journeys illustrate the inherent risks and
uncertainties of involvement with smugglers and organized crime in
attempts to reach the United States illegally," the statement said.

More than 43,000 Cubans arrived in the United States by sea and land
during fiscal year 2015, which ended in September, a level not seen in
decades.

The exodus has been prompted by fears that the thaw in US-Cuban
relations will end the American policy of automatically accepting Cuban
migrants as refugees.

Under US law, Cubans fleeing their communist-ruled island are admitted
and given access to fast-track American residency, a policy extended to
no other nationality.

Before the recent spike, Washington stressed that it did not plan any
change in the legislation governing Cuban migrants despite the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Havana in July after half a
century.

The topic of relations with Washington's former Cold War enemy remains
controversial in Miami -- home to half the two million strong Cuban
diaspora in the United States -- although less so than in previous decades.

The two countries have held several meetings on topics including
anti-drug cooperation, transnational crime and the environment since
they announced their historic thaw in December 2014.

Source: US, Cuba discuss human trafficking as migrant numbers surge -
Yahoo News -
http://news.yahoo.com/us-cuba-discuss-human-trafficking-migrant-numbers-surge-195502126.html;_ylt=AwrC1CgnJbZWrEwA49LQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBydDI5cXVuBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM2BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--