United States: The United States has deported its first group of Cubans back to their home country since 2020. The move comes after Cuba agreed to accept flights carrying Cubans caught at the US-Mexico border, which had not been allowed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has resumed normal removal processing for Cuban nationals who have received final orders of removal. The flight consisted of 40 Cubans intercepted in boats and 83 detained at the US-Mexico border.

The number of Cubans and other asylum seekers and migrants caught at the border decreased after President Joe Biden adopted more restrictive border security measures in January. However, the Biden administration is preparing for a possible increase in crossings with COVID restrictions at the US-Mexico border set to lift on May 11. The administration is expected to reveal more about its preparations in the coming days.

Earlier in April 2023, US and Cuban officials discussed migration issues as the Biden administration braced for the end of COVID-era border restrictions that have blocked Cubans in recent months from crossing into the US from Mexico.

The US embassy in Havana resumed full immigrant visa processing and consular services in January for the first time since 2017 to stem the record numbers of Cubans trying to enter the US from Mexico.

The Biden administration has begun expelling Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans crossing the US-Mexico border under restrictions known as Title 42 while also opening new legal pathways for those groups.

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