Cuban-American lawmakers blast Obama’s plan to ease Cuba travel restrictions

Republican lawmakers of Cuban descent sharply criticized President Obama’s plans to loosen Cuban travel policy to allow students and church groups to go to the communist country, saying the changes will benefit the Castro regime while doing little for the average citizen.

“Loosening these regulations will not help foster a pro-democracy environment in Cuba,” said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman of the House ForeignAffairs Committee.

“These changes will not aid in ushering in respect for human rights. And they certainly will not help the Cuban people free themselves from the tyranny that engulfs them.” “These changes undermine U.S. foreign policy and security objectives and will bring economic benefits to the Cuban regime,” she added.

The administration announced Friday that students seeking academic credit and churches traveling for religious purposes will be able to go to Cuba. The plan will also let any American send as much as $500 every three months to Cuban citizens who are not part of the Castro administration and are not members of the Communist Party.

Also, more airports will be allowed to offer charter service. Right now, only three airports — in Miami, Los Angeles and New York City — can offer authorized charters to Cuba. That will be expanded to any international airport with proper customs and immigration facilities as long as licensed travel agencies ask to run charters from the airport. Read Full Text

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