Sometimes all good things must come to an end. In this case, Cuban doctors and nurses defecting to the United States has finally come to an end.
Cuban doctors and nurses that are arriving this week in Miami are the last wave of Cuban defectors that will arrive in the United States, according to a report from the Daily Mail. The Cuban defectors are the last ones to apply for United States Visa ever since the United States cancelled the Cuban policy.
Just last January 12, the Obama administration cancelled the Cuban Medical Professionals Parole, via a report from USA Today. The now cancelled policy allows Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to defect to the United States while on their government's mandatory assignments abroad. Cuban doctors are being allowed in the United States if they applied for visas under the Cuban Medical Professionals Parole before Jan. 12.
The Cuban defectors are also allowed to stay and become legal residents after one year of stay. The policy was started by former United States President George W. Bush in 2006.
The Cuban doctors who just arrived in Miami said that they are relieved to arrive in the United States despite uncertainties for immigrants under the Donald Trump administration. Despite being relieved after arriving in the United States, the Cuban doctors, however, still feel anxious about their colleagues and friends that are left behind.
"I still can't believe it. Pinch me. Pinch me. I can't believe I am here," Yoandri Pavot, 35, said after arriving at Miami International Airport on Monday. "I wish they would give the ones left behind a chance because they are also fighting for freedom."
The Cuban doctors that arrived on Monday were greeted by loud cheers and hugs from close and distant relatives as well as their close friends. They all took cried and took photos.
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