In the last two decades, more than half a million Cubans have emigrated to the United States in search of a better quality of life and job opportunities. The latest census indicates that 1,376,211 Cubans live legally in the United States. According to The New York Times, about 250,000 people from Cuba settled in our territory in 2021. Spain, Italy and Chile are the next countries where Cubans seek their opportunities.
Experts point out that it is the young people who are leaving Cuba in search of a more prosperous life, so the island is suffering an aging population that will have trouble sustaining itself. This talent drain is the result of the poor economic situation and the communism that still rules the island under the hand of President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The Cuban government does not usually publish macroeconomic data, but the authorities acknowledged that inflation reached 70% in 2021, being one of the main causes of the depopulation of the island. In addition, the dual currency system was eliminated last year, which weighed down the Cuban economy.
"Historic figures".
The Department of State (DoE) told The New York Times that "the numbers for Cuba are historic, and everyone recognizes that." "That said, more people are migrating globally now than ever before and that trend is certainly being reflected in our hemisphere as well," added a DoE official.
Katrin Hansing, an anthropologist at the City University of New York, said it is the "biggest drain" of talent from Cuba:
This is the largest quantitative and qualitative brain drain this country has had since the revolution. They are the best, the brightest and the most energetic.
Resumption of visa service
The U.S. Embassy in Havana announced that visa processing will resume so that Cubans can migrate in a safe and orderly manner starting early next year.
In addition, they will resume the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program (CFRP)which allows certain eligible U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, who receive a letter of invitation, to apply for a permit for their family members in Cuba that will allow them to join them in the United States without having to wait for the regular immigrant visa processing time.
