Daphne Psaledakis (Mat Spetalnick) and Humeyra Pouk

WASHINGTON (Reuters] -The United States intends to make a variety of changes to its Cuba policy, which includes removing some Trump-era restrictions for family remittances from the island, and increasing U.S. visa processing for Cubans. Administration officials announced Monday.

After a thorough review by the U.S. Government, these measures mark one of the largest changes in America’s approach to Havana in 2021 since the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

However, the U.S. and Cuba relations were not restored to the historical rapprochement initiated by Obama (under whom Biden was vice president). This included a lower crimped flow in remittances as well as fewer travel restrictions and quicker visa services.

According to the officials, Monday’s announcements would see the United States lift its cap on family money transfers, which was previously at $1,000 per quarter. It will also allow for donative remittances of non-family members.

However, officials stated that U.S. would not eliminate entities from Cuba Restricted List. It is a State Department-mandated list of Cuban companies and government-aligned firms with whom U.S. citizens or businesses are banned from doing business.

The official stated that they would ensure that the remittances to Cuba are more readily available to its people and not give financial support to those responsible for human rights violations.

According to officials, the United States will employ civilian electronic payment processors (citizens) to remit money to Cuba to prevent funds from going to its government.

Biden officials are aware of the possibility that loosening Cuban sanctions could result in political fallout from conservative Cuban Americans. These Cuban Americans make up a significant voting bloc for south Florida and have mainly supported President Donald Trump’s harsh policies.

Trump reduced visa processing and restricted remittances. He also scaled down flights to Cuba. This increased difficulty for Americans who want to visit Cuba other than for family visits.

Officials did not provide any details about how this new policy would work.

A request to comment was not received by the Cuban Embassy in Washington immediately.

FAMILY REUNION

The plan is to restore the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. It was a legal route for Cuban family members to come together in the United States.

According to a Migration Agreement, Washington will issue approximately 20,000 visas per year.

After a four-year absence, this month saw the U.S. Embassy in Havana begin issuing trickle immigrant visas for Cubans. This fulfills an earlier promise that visa processing would be resumed on the island.

Trump’s State Department reduced embassy staff sharply in 2017, following “anomalous” health events that led to the “Havana syndrome.”

Instead, Cubans wishing to immigrate to America were directed to apply in person for visas at U.S. embassies, first in Colombia and then in Guyana. These costly trips are beyond many’s reach.

According to officials, authorized travel to Cuba will be expanded by the Biden administration, which allows flights to and from Cuba to take place at airports other that Havana.

Washington also plans to reinstate certain categories of educational group travel as well as travel for professional meetings or research.

However, individual travel between “people to people” will be rescinded. Trump officials removed the category because they believed it was being misused by Americans on beach vacations.

In addition to facilitating access to the internet by allowing Cuban entrepreneurs to be more independent, the United States is also increasing support of Cuban-owned businesses.

Biden pledged during the 2020 presidential election that he would re-engage Cuba. Instead, he imposed new sanctions against Cuban officials as a response to Havana’s crackdown upon protestors following mass marches across the island in July.

Many were detained during the protests. They are widely believed to have been the biggest demonstrations since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Washington condemned Cuban authorities’ harsh sentences.

Protests in Cuba were attributed to meddling by the United States, according to the Cuban government.

Officials stated there was no decision on inviting Cuba to the Summit of the Americas in the United States, even though threats were made by Mexico and other nations that Cuba would not be invited if it is not included.