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Obama Eases Cuban Travel, Remittances

It bridges the gap between divided families: White House

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Apr 13, 2009 3:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama officially announced new rules for Cuban remittances and travel today, lifting barriers implemented by his predecessor. The eased restrictions allow Cuban Americans to make limitless money transfers and trips to the island nation, the AP reports. It fulfills Obama’s campaign promise to bridge the gap between divided Cuban families, days before he attends a regional summit in Trinidad and Tobago.

Pedro Lopez speaks outside Versailles Restaraunt in Miami's Little Havana section, about the loosening of restrictions on Cuban Americans to visit their relatives in Cuba. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)

Obama made a campaign promise to lift barriers divided Cuban families face. (Shutter stock)

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kokuaguy

Apr 15, 2009 5:30 AM CDT

As Latin America as a region arrives center-stage on the United States' agenda this week, the Obama administration should not miss the opportunity to include Cuba in the new relationship of respect and mutual interest that it seeks to forge with Latin America. In Cuba, as the notorious US detention camps at Guantánamo Bay are taken down, President Obama may even find useful building blocks for constructing just the sort of cooperative relationship he desires. Working with Cuban doctors and scientists to transform Guantánamo Bay from a blight on our national character to a healthcare center for the neglected diseases of the Americas would be a partnership whose results are felt throughout the hemisphere for generations. Marcus Raskin

RobN

Apr 13, 2009 9:18 AM CDT

Somebody in the administration needs to read the equal protection clause of the constitution. Travel restrictions on some Americans but not on others, based solely on country of origin, is never going to pass constitutional muster. Is there anybody in the AG's office paying attention?

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Obama Eases Cuban Travel, Remittances

It bridges the gap between divided families: White House

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Barack Obama • Travel • Cuba • United States • Cuban Americans • remittance • Obama administration • President Obama

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Obama Eases Cuban Travel, Remittances

It bridges the gap between divided families: White House

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Travel • Cuba • United States • Cuban Americans • remittance • Obama administration • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

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Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?