As a result of the continuing normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, the U.S. has seen dramatic uptick in the number of Cuban refugees reaching its borders due in part out of fear on the island nation that the long-standing “wet foot, dry foot” policy that allows Cuban refugees to stay in the U.S. once they reach U.S. land will soon end with the thawing of relations.
“The numbers have definitely increased pretty sharply in the past couple of years, especially since normalized relations have been announced” said Marc Rosenblum, deputy director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute.
A report by the Los Angeles Times found that approximately 44,000 Cuban refugees came to the U.S. last year. That represents an increase of over 100% from the previous year’s 17,466 refugees.
Refugees are increasingly using alternate routes beside crossing the Florida Straits, the body of water between Cuba and the U.S. and instead traveling to Central America and entering the U.S. through the Southern border.
Commenting on the numbers outlined in the report, Rosenblum added “I don’t know if we’ve hit the top.”
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