Cuba people! Thoughts on how Trump news will affect us?

[C and E 36]

Hello, Cuba folks! Just curious your thoughts on how Trump's news will affect us. I estimate that the K1 interview for me & my fiancé will be in September or October, but what happens if I cant get into the country? I'll be flying in via UK. 

The past 3 times I have been to Cuba I also went through other countries. When I came from Europe I got no questions at all. Only when I went via Mexico did I get asked anything, and I just had to fill out a simple form saying my trip was "people to people", which it was but I organized independently. Of course, I know the policies are just going back to how they were, but under Obama before the change, it didn't seem like it was terribly enforced, and I have been reading that independently organized trips won't be allowed anymore. My fear is now these rules will be enforced.

Any thoughts on this? For those of us planning to make Cuba trips -- should we make plans to join a tour group? Or independently organize some lessons? Ugh. Does a visa interview at the embassy count as a good enough 'activity'? 

Any thoughts much appreciated. Of course my fiance is terribly afraid this means we can't be together at all...  

[TatiyPablo 32]

Thanks for making this thread, I have the same question. My interview is in July. I usually go as indepently organized people-to-people. The OFAC memo that was released didn't mention anything about US Citizens traveling through third countries, which was allowed under Obama. 

 

I don't know if my trip will count as family visit, because as fiances we technically aren't considered family. Ugh - this sucks majorly. Any advice would be helpful.  

[C and E 36]

Yes I also took a look at the memo and it's confusing. Seems like same rules as before the relaxing that the Obama administration did, but just more enforced. 

On the topic of fiance's not counting as family -- another issue this brings up is remittances. I don't send my fiancé money nor have I ever, but he will not be able to pay for the visa medical appointment by himself, so I have to figure out how to get the money to him. The only way is through Western Union. I know in the past some VJ members have just checked the "family" box anyway and sent the medical fee, although "fiancé" is not on the list of family. But I am worried with the new rules if there might be stricter enforcement of that too...

Ugh. 

 

Do you have an interview date Tatiy? Which airport would you fly in to? Did you already go though the medical or have you figured out how you'll pay for it?

[DiamondEyes490 126]

According to people on CubaAmor, plenty of people did K-1 prior to Obama with no repercussions. None of the changes will go into affect for at least 90 days, and it won't be clear how tough enforcement will be until then. I highly doubt anyone will stop you from going. The worse that could happen is you get fined.

 

One other thing you might want to consider is contacting the ACLU. I definitely would view these restrictions in general as violating many people's civil liberties, and I wouldn't be surprised if they challenge it.

 

Even though I will not be impacted as I'm doing CR-1, I'm very upset over this entire thing and how the potential reduction in tourism will negatively impact so many people I care about.

[TatiyPablo 32]

Just now, DiamondEyes490 said:

According to people on CubaAmor, plenty of people did K-1 prior to Obama with no repercussions. None of the changes will go into affect for at least 90 days, and it won't be clear how tough enforcement will be until then. I highly doubt anyone will stop you from going. The worse that could happen is you get fined.

 

One other thing you might want to consider is contacting the ACLU. I definitely would view these restrictions in general as violating many people's civil liberties, and I wouldn't be surprised if they challenge it.

 

Even though I will not be impacted as I'm doing CR-1, I'm very upset over this entire thing and how the potential reduction in tourism will negatively impact so many people I care about.

I agree. My most immediate concern is booking my plane ticket for our interview for end of July. What category would traveling for our visa interview fall under? Family? Or could I argue people-to-people? The State Department's Cuba Policy Fact Sheet suggested these changes could go into effect as early as 30 days from now, so I'm wary.

 

@C and E, my fiance paid for his medical and other related fees himself. I always fly from New York into Havana, once flew into Varadero but that was just over a cheaper ticket. Here's what OFAC says about remittances - 

 

8. Can I continue to send authorized remittances to Cuba?

Yes. The announced policy changes will not change the authorizations for sending remittances to Cuba. Additionally, the announced changes include an exception that will allow for transactions incidental to the sending, processing, and receipt of authorized remittances to the extent they would otherwise be restricted by the new policy limiting transactions with certain identified Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. As a result, the restrictions on certain transactions in the new Cuba policy will not limit the ability to send or receive authorized remittances.

 

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So it seems positive, I think you will not have a problem sending your fiance Western Unions.

[C and E 36]

1 minute ago, TatiyPablo said:

I agree. My most immediate concern is booking my plane ticket for our interview for end of July. What category would traveling for our visa interview fall under? Family? Or could I argue people-to-people? The State Department's Cuba Policy Fact Sheet suggested these changes could go into effect as early as 30 days from now, so I'm wary.

 

@C and E, my fiance paid for his medical and other related fees himself. I always fly from New York into Havana, once flew into Varadero but that was just over a cheaper ticket. Here's what OFAC says about remittances - 

 

8. Can I continue to send authorized remittances to Cuba?

Yes. The announced policy changes will not change the authorizations for sending remittances to Cuba. Additionally, the announced changes include an exception that will allow for transactions incidental to the sending, processing, and receipt of authorized remittances to the extent they would otherwise be restricted by the new policy limiting transactions with certain identified Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. As a result, the restrictions on certain transactions in the new Cuba policy will not limit the ability to send or receive authorized remittances.

 

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So it seems positive, I think you will not have a problem sending your fiance Western Unions.

2

Unfortunately remittances can only be sent to legal family (this has never changed even under Obama's relaxing of rules). So since I am not the wife, sister, mother, daughter etc of my fiancé, I can"t send it. You actually have to write what relation the person is to you and submit your passport data and sign an affadavit saying you are telling the truth. 

[TatiyPablo 32]

Ah, I see. I'm very sorry these processes become so overly complicated and screwed up  If I were you, I would send him the money ASAP and see what happens. Chances are it won't be blocked and if it is you will be able to get your money back. These are real issues that many people have to go through, so I'm sure it's been done before!

[DiamondEyes490 126]

11 minutes ago, TatiyPablo said:

I agree. My most immediate concern is booking my plane ticket for our interview for end of July. What category would traveling for our visa interview fall under? Family? Or could I argue people-to-people? The State Department's Cuba Policy Fact Sheet suggested these changes could go into effect as early as 30 days from now, so I'm wary.

 

@C and E, my fiance paid for his medical and other related fees himself. I always fly from New York into Havana, once flew into Varadero but that was just over a cheaper ticket. Here's what OFAC says about remittances - 

 

8. Can I continue to send authorized remittances to Cuba?

Yes. The announced policy changes will not change the authorizations for sending remittances to Cuba. Additionally, the announced changes include an exception that will allow for transactions incidental to the sending, processing, and receipt of authorized remittances to the extent they would otherwise be restricted by the new policy limiting transactions with certain identified Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. As a result, the restrictions on certain transactions in the new Cuba policy will not limit the ability to send or receive authorized remittances.

 

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So it seems positive, I think you will not have a problem sending your fiance Western Unions.

I would put people to people. If they come after you, it would be post-trip to verify everything. You should be fine to book your ticket.

 

I have a good hack for remittances. Download Cuballama if you haven't already. They have monthly promotions where you pay $20 ($22.80 on our end with fees) to recharge someone's phone and they get $50 cuc. Most Cubans are looking for someone with family abroad that can do that for them, so your fiancé can probably get enough customers to cover whatever the medical fee is and they just pay him.

 

they are A Canadian company so the transaction will go through fine.

 

i visit my husband every month, and we just do this. No more cadeca!

Edited June 17, 2017 by DiamondEyes490

[TatiyPablo 32]

Thanks for your advice! @DiamondEyes490 I guess a second concern I have is if they try to give me a hassle at the airport to provide proof of a group tour?

[DiamondEyes490 126]

2 minutes ago, TatiyPablo said:

Thanks for your advice! @DiamondEyes490 I guess a second concern I have is if they try to give me a hassle at the airport to provide proof of a group tour?

I doubt they will, but if it'll give you some added peace of mind, maybe you could go through the purchase flow on one of the tour websites, not actually submit, but print the page before that as "proof." That usually works for "Booking" a return ticket to show immigration when you're traveling abroad with no fixed plans.

[K1Cuba 3]

50 minutes ago, C and E said:

Unfortunately remittances can only be sent to legal family (this has never changed even under Obama's relaxing of rules). So since I am not the wife, sister, mother, daughter etc of my fiancé, I can"t send it. You actually have to write what relation the person is to you and submit your passport data and sign an affadavit saying you are telling the truth. 

@C and E Hi...I'm not sure about the new rules, but under Obama's changes non-family members have been able to send money via Western Union. I've done it several times. I don't think you can do it via the website (at least I've never seen a non-family option on the website). But if you go to a Western Union location, they will ask you if you are family or not, and still allow you to send even if you are not family.

Edited June 17, 2017 by K1Cuba

[C and E 36]

1 minute ago, K1Cuba said:

@C and E Hi...I'm not sure about the new rules, under Obama's changes non-family members have been able to send money via Western Union. I've done it several times. I don't think you can do it via the website (at least I've never seen a non-member option on the website). But if you go to a Western Union location, they will ask you if you are family or not. 

1

Interesting! I have tried using the website and that's where I had to go through the affidavit swearing the receiver was a family member and naming which kind of family member. I live in Europe at the moment and so I have only tried to see if it was possible through the website. I asked at a WU branch in Hungary not long ago and they said I couldn't send it...will have to look into this...

[C and E 36]

38 minutes ago, TatiyPablo said:

Thanks for your advice! @DiamondEyes490 I guess a second concern I have is if they try to give me a hassle at the airport to provide proof of a group tour?

 

Tatily from what I am reading the rules could take a few months to be enforced. How soon could you arrive??? I think for me going in September or October will be more complicated...oh dear  

[K1Cuba 3]

2 minutes ago, C and E said:

Interesting! I have tried using the website and that's where I had to go through the affidavit swearing the receiver was a family member and naming which kind of family member. I live in Europe at the moment and so I have only tried to see if it was possible through the website. I asked at a WU branch in Hungary not long ago and they said I couldn't send it...will have to look into this...

Hmm...not sure about Europe. But remittances was one of the changes that Obama made. See below (from Western Union website, and the link has more info). https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/send-money-to-cuba.html 

 

Personal, non-family remittances

You may send up to $2,000 per quarter to non-family members who are not forbidden members of the Cuban government or the Cuban Communist Party. See more information.

You may also send money to Cuba to support humanitarian projects, develop private businesses, and provide support for the Cuban people. For details about these Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) authorizations and applicable restrictions, see 31 CFR § 515.570(g)

 

[Patient 57]

The announcement is typical, Starwood / Marriott operate a hotel and have another in the pipeline which has a link to the Cuban Govt. Their USD$ millions investment as first adopter is not at risk, if Trump tries to close them down they will sue and are preparing to do so because Trump has been on TV talking of opening a hotel bearing in his name when conditions improve ( i.e. someone puts up the cash and he lets them "use his name").

 

For those going through the process, your case is different to the Arab ban which is yet to play out. It is best to plan that all is okay.

 

Another issue not hitting the news is that since the agreement with Obama, the people smugglers now run drugs into the USA instead, record seizures are being made with the Cubans and US military working together. 

 

Again, a PR stunt in a room full of supporters filled to the max has to be viewed in context, Friday was the day he promised to disclose if he had tapes or not.

 

USCIS will not change their work plan and policies until this becomes formal and I bet has been legally challenged. You will be in the USA legally by then.