Families Torn Apart
The High Cost of U.S. and Cuban Travel Restrictions

I. Summary and Recommendations

Cuba’s Restrictions on Travel
U.S. Restrictions on Cuban Travel
Recommendations

To the Cuban Government
To the U.S. Government

II. Cuba’s Restrictions on Travel

Background

Past Travel Restrictions
Current Travel Restrictions

Illustrative Cases

Hilda Molina
Teresa Márquez and Roberto Salazar
María Elena Morejón
Juan López Linares
José Cohen

Denial of Exit Visas

Health Care Professionals
Relatives of “Deserters”
Children of People Abroad

Denial of Entrance Visas
The Impact of Cuba’s Travel Restrictions

The Toll of Forced Separation on Families
The High Costs of Reunification Attempts
Travel Restrictions as Political Coercion

III. U.S. Travel Restrictions

Background

Past Travel Restrictions
New Restrictions on Family-Related Travel

Illustrative Cases

Marisela Romero
Andrés Andrade
Leandro Seoane
Carlos Lazo
Milay Torres
Amparo Alvarez
Nohelia Guerrero

The Impact of U.S. Travel Restrictions

Family Separation
Family Illness
Redefining the Family
Divided Loyalties
Curtailed Freedom

IV. Freedom of Movement in International Law

V. Conclusion

Acknowledgements

October 2005   Vol. 17, No. 5(B)