The number of Cuban citizens seeking asylum in Uruguay has soared, with at least 20,000 applications currently pending, according to Nicolás Albertoni, the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Albertoni highlighted that the situation for Cubans is distinct from that of Venezuelans—another group with rising asylum requests—because Cubans require a visa to enter Uruguay and often apply for asylum to stay, although many applications end up being denied, as reported by the news outlet Subrayado.
Albertoni explained that the Uruguayan government has implemented two policies to address this issue. One of them is the "residence by settlement" policy for Cuban citizens, and the other is a simplified asylum process for Venezuelans, who currently have 3,800 pending applications. "When they apply for political asylum, it's because they genuinely need it," he affirmed, though this does not guarantee approval. "Not everyone will be granted asylum; however, they will receive a faster response, as sometimes they would wait up to two years for an answer," the Deputy Secretary noted.
In the South American nation, demands for regularization by Cubans have become a common occurrence. "No more visa requirement to start the residency process," have been the calls from affected individuals during protests in front of both the Presidential Office and the Uruguayan Foreign Ministry.
Currently, around 5,000 Cubans are in a "migratory limbo" in Uruguay, as they lack refugee status and cannot withdraw their asylum applications to apply for permanent residency, which would allow for family reunification. In May of this year, the Uruguayan government issued a decree aimed at resolving the immigration status of thousands of Cubans in the country.
This regulation, signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, will enable undocumented individuals to legalize their status through "residence by settlement," a legal provision benefiting asylum seekers who did not meet the criteria to be granted refugee status.
Understanding the Asylum Situation for Cubans in Uruguay
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to better understand the asylum and immigration issues faced by Cuban citizens in Uruguay.
Why do Cuban citizens need a visa to enter Uruguay?
Cuban citizens need a visa to enter Uruguay due to immigration regulations. This requirement often leads them to apply for asylum to stay in the country.
What is "residence by settlement"?
"Residence by settlement" is a legal provision that allows certain individuals, including asylum seekers who do not meet the criteria for refugee status, to legalize their immigration status in Uruguay.
How many Cuban asylum applications are currently pending in Uruguay?
There are currently around 20,000 pending asylum applications from Cuban citizens in Uruguay.
What changes did the Uruguayan government make to address the asylum issue?
In May, the Uruguayan government issued a decree that allows undocumented individuals to legalize their status through "residence by settlement" and introduced a simplified asylum process for Venezuelans.