[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 18 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Pages 752-753]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement With the Republic of Cuba on Normalization of Migration

May 2, 1995

    The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba have reached 
agreement on steps to normalize further their migration relationship. 
These steps build upon the September 9, 1994 agreement and seek to 
address safety and humanitarian concerns and to ensure that migration 
between the countries is safe, legal, and orderly.

Humanitarian Parole

    The United States and the Republic of Cuba recognize the special 
circumstances of Cuban migrants currently at Guantanamo Bay. 
Accordingly, the two governments have agreed that the process of 
humanitarian parole into the United States should continue beyond those 
eligible for parole under existing criteria. The two governments agree 
that if the United States carries out such paroles, it may count them 
towards meeting the minimum number of Cubans it is committed to admit 
every year pursuant to the September 9, 1994 agreement. Up to 5,000 such 
paroles may be counted towards meeting the minimum number in any one 
year period beginning September 9, 1995, regardless of when the migrants 
are paroled into the United States.

Safety of Life at Sea

    The United States and the Republic of Cuba reaffirm their common 
interest in preventing unsafe departures from Cuba. Effective 
immediately, Cuban migrants intercepted at sea by the United States and 
attempting to enter the United States will be taken to Cuba. Similarly, 
migrants found to have entered Guantanamo illegally will also be 
returned to Cuba. The United States and the Republic of Cuba will 
cooperate jointly in this effort. All actions taken will be consistent 
with the parties' international obligations. Migrants taken to Cuba will 
be informed by United States officials about procedures to apply for 
legal admission to the United States at the U.S. Interests Section in 
Havana.
    The United States and the Republic of Cuba will ensure that no 
action is taken against those migrants returned to Cuba as a consequence 
of their attempt to immigrate illegally. Both parties will work together 
to facilitate the procedures necessary to implement these measures. The 
United States and the Republic of Cuba agree to the return to Cuba of 
Cuban nationals currently at Guan- 

[[Page 753]]

tanamo who are ineligible for admission to the United States.

September 9, 1994 Agreement

    The United States and the Republic of Cuba agree that the provisions 
of the September 9, 1994 agreement remain in effect, except as modified 
by the present Joint Statement. In particular, both sides reaffirm their 
joint commitment to take steps to prevent unsafe departures from Cuba 
which risk loss of human life and to oppose acts of violence associated 
with illegal immigration.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.