Obama will use executive power to lift ban on travel to Cuba

[cali]

Obama Set to Lift Ban on Family Travel to Cuba

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama plans to lift a longstanding U.S. ban on family travel and remittances to Cuba, a senior administration official said Friday, in what could be an opening gesture toward more openness with the Castro regime.

The move will fulfill a campaign promise and follows more modest action in Congress this year to loosen travel rules.

The president has authority to loosen these rules on his own, and the move is likely meant as a signal of a new attitude toward both Cuba and other Latin American countries that have pressed the U.S. to alter its policy.

The president does not intend to call for lifting of the trade embargo against Cuba, which would require congressional action, nor is any specific diplomatic outreach contemplated, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

<snip>

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123879435046687885.html

[Mika]

1. So Americans without family in Cuba will be second class travel banned citizens?

This should not stand. NONE of us should be travel banned by our government!

This is a shameful action. Why should we not be able to freely see Cuba for ourselves?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. I got there via Mexico,

but my guess is that this is just a very simple first step and soon all parts of the embargo will fall.

I hope so..............

[jazzjunkysue]

4. I am so on that plane if he lifts it. Marimba, baby!

[tekisui]

9. There is legislation in the works to lift the travel ban.

It will be lifted soon, it has bi-partisan support. I imagine the EO is to speed it up for families.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Bravo! Hopefully, congress will find the courage to lift the dumbass embargo.

[aquart]

5. Hallelujah.

Now lift the rest of the damn ban and show the world we've stopped being idiots.

[bigwillq]

6. Good.

And lift the embargo too.

[Mari333]

7. good!!!! nt

[Mika]

8. Judging from the responses, few actually read the article. Americans are still travel banned!

Only persons with family in Cuba, which mean Cuban-Americans and Cuban resident aliens, are allowed to go to Cuba.

THE REST OF US (99.7%) REMAIN TRAVEL BANNED!

[Billy Burnett]

10. Silly Americans. Cheering at being travel banned by their own gov.

Crazy shit, eh?

:hi: