Trump's Proposed Plan May Bar Cubans and Venezuelans from Entering the U.S. "No Exceptions"

The administration under Donald Trump is reportedly considering a sweeping ban that would prevent citizens of Cuba and Venezuela from entering the United States, "without exceptions," according to sources familiar with the proposal. This policy could impact all nationals from these countries, regardless of their current place of residence, denying entry even for those seeking asylum or urgent medical care, as per a report by El Nuevo Herald, which spoke to sources close to the government.

The plan, purportedly crafted by Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor known for his stringent immigration policies, may also affect Cubans and Venezuelans living in third countries who lack other national citizenship. El Nuevo Herald's sources indicated that this measure does not include exceptions for the elderly, the ill, or politically persecuted dissidents, such as the recent cases of young Damir Ortiz and opposition figure Martha Beatriz Roque, raising alarms among human rights advocates and members of Congress.

Potential Impacts on Humanitarian Cases

The policy is set within an executive order directing the State Department to partially or completely halt the admission of citizens from nations deemed inadequate in "immigration vetting and screening." Unlike earlier versions of similar policies during Trump's tenure, which allowed for some exemptions, this iteration might completely eliminate such provisions. The article highlights cases like Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old Cuban leukemia patient, and dissident Martha Beatriz Roque, who were able to travel to Miami for medical treatment under current policies, as examples of how the ban could endanger lives.

Political and Legal Ramifications

Florida's Republican congressional representatives, including Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez, could face significant pressure from their constituents, as the Cuban and Venezuelan communities in South Florida would be severely impacted. Despite Florida being a Republican stronghold, analysts warn that this policy could sway upcoming midterm elections. Legal experts and former prosecutors caution that the plan could face legal challenges, particularly due to the absence of exemptions. David Weinstein, a former state and federal prosecutor in Miami-Dade, remarked that Cubans and Venezuelans might argue the ban unfairly affects their families and violates fundamental rights.

The ambiguity surrounding the implementation has led to uncertainty among lawmakers, including some Republicans who are not privy to the plan's specifics. Congress members like Salazar and Giménez have expressed not being briefed on the proposal, highlighting the secrecy surrounding its development.

International Relations and Human Rights Concerns

This prohibition might also disrupt the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords in place since 1984, complicating the repatriation of deported Cubans. Furthermore, it could undermine cooperation with other Caribbean nations previously approached by the Trump administration to accept undocumented migrants, experts warned in discussions with the Herald. Meanwhile, human rights organizations and Cuban and Venezuelan community groups have begun mobilizing against the measure, arguing that it contradicts the historical principles of supporting the people of these countries fleeing authoritarian regimes.