The Obama administration, in one of its final foreign policy initiatives, on Thursday ended the special status accorded migrants fleeing Cuba who, upon reaching this country, were automatically allowed to stay. Effective immediately, President Obama said in a statement, “Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally . More than 250,000 have been granted residency under the Obama administration under the law, which can only be repealed by Congress. If he chose to do so after taking office, Trump could order the Department of Homeland Security to reinstitute special treatment for Cuban migrants. “The aim here is to treat Cuban migrants in a manner consistent to migrants who come here from other countries .

Source: Washington Post January 12, 2017 22:16 UTC