Rep. Richardson's Recently Returning from Cuba Remarks on President Obama's Lifting of Family, Travel, Money Restrictions to Cuba.

Press Release

Rep. Richardson's Recently Returning from Cuba Remarks on President Obama's Lifting of Family, Travel, Money Restrictions to Cuba.

President Barack Obama announced today that the United States will lift restrictions that limit the ability of Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba. Further, the President also will eliminate restrictions on Cuban Americans sending remittances to Cuba and will allow US telecom companies to operate there.

"I believe that the first step President Obama took today prior to the Summit meeting later this week is consistent with the commitment of change that both Cuba and the U.S. are calling for in policies," said Congresswoman Richardson. "Cuban Americans and Cuban families on and off the island suffered the consequences of isolation for far too long. I personally witnessed last week the complex set of limitations preventing Americans from contributing to positive change and dialogue within Cuba. This has caused tremendous hardship for families separated by previous US - Cuba policies on sending remittances and traveling to Cuba. Heretofore, Cuban Americans who had visited family members in Cuba within the last three years and who urgently needed to return to attend family emergencies such as a medical crisis or a funeral were simply not authorized to do so under previous Presidential policy."

In conjunction with six other members of the U.S. Congress, Congresswoman Laura Richardson participated in a 5-day Congressional Delegation trip to Cuba, returning to the U.S. on Tuesday, April 7.

During her visit in Cuba, Congresswoman Laura Richardson asked President Raul Castro if it was possible to meet with Former President Fidel Castro. President Raul agreed and Congresswoman Richardson was one of three members of Congress from the delegation to meet with Former President Fidel Castro.

"The important benefit of human contact is a two-way street. The President was correct in lifting restrictions today, and I believe the Congressional spotlight of last weeks activities encouraged all to immediately begin the evaluation and implementation of the expansion of exchange at all levels. It is my hope that the US unilaterally remove travel and remittance restrictions on all US persons and not only Cuban Americans."

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