Change in Our Interest: Travel, Trade and Improved Relations with Cuba

U.S.-Cuba relations have been at a standstill for many years, but momentum for change is developing.

On March 11th, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control authorized a general license for family travel to Cuba and expanded the definition of “family”, repealing the 2004 family travel restrictions put into place by the Bush administration.

The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations eliminated funding enforcement of the 2004 regulations on family travel, as well as for “cash-in-advance” provision that applies to all commercial sales of agricultural and medical supplies to Cuba. The omnibus also authorizes travel, on a general license, for individuals marketing or selling agricultural and medical goods to the island.

This is the first Cuba legislation to hit a U.S. president’s desk in more than 8 years.

In order for the United States to play a constructive role as Cubans determine their future, we need to engage with the people of Cuba and the Cuban government in a variety of ways. These might include bilateral talks on issues of mutual concern, action to permit closer ties between Cuban Americans and their families on the island, unfettered agricultural trade, expanded academic exchange, greater contact between faith communities, and unrestricted travel for all Americans.

The information included in this congressional education packet documents how existing restrictions on travel and trade harm the national interests of the United States, and why reforming this policy is consistent with our values, our economic interests and efforts to improve the U.S. image abroad.

We encourage you to use this information to talk to your representatives about making this important change in U.S.-Cuba policy. The two bills called the "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" are H.R. 874 in the House of Representatives and S. 428 in the Senate, ask your representative to Co-Sponsor these bills today. An explanation of the bills can be viewed here.

To download the entire packet, click here.

To download the individual documents, click on the links below:

1. Legislative Background: U.S. - Cuba Policy in the 111th Congress

2. Travel Talking Points: Lifting the Travel Ban Will Strengthen U.S. Interests and Help the Cuban People

3. Trade Background: U.S.-Cuba Trade: Ending Restrictions Will Promote Our Economy and Reflect U.S. Interests and Values

4. Trade Talking Points: Travel to Cuba Helps U.S. Farmers and Agricultural Business in Our National Interests

5. Endorsement Lists: U.S. Organizations that Have Stated Their Support For an End to the Ban on Travel to Cuba for All Americans

6. Polling Data: Growing Numbers of Americans - Especially Cuban Americans - Want the Freedom to Travel for All Americans

7. Contact List: U.S.-Cuba Policy Contacts

Statements in Support of Lifting the Ban on Travel to Cuba for All Americans:

Committee on International Justice and Peace

Freedom House