Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

This presidential determination designates persons fleeing from or repatriating to Cuba and Haiti as qualifying for migration and refugee assistance under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. It authorizes the Secretary of State to obligate funds for this purpose and requires congressional notification and Federal Register publication.

Federal Register 59 FR 48555

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Impact dates

Date TBD
Inform appropriate committees of Congress of this determination and obligation of funds
Date TBD
Publish this determination in the Federal Register

Key directives

Designate persons fleeing from or repatriating to Cuba and Haiti as qualifying for assistance
Determine that such assistance will contribute to US foreign policy interests
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to inform appropriate congressional committees
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Designation of Cuban and Haitian refugees/returnees as qualifying for assistance
Authorization for Secretary of State to obligate funds

Near term (90d)

Congressional notification by Secretary of State
Federal Register publication

Long term

Ongoing refugee assistance operations for Cuba and Haiti
Potential foreign policy implications for US-Cuba and US-Haiti relations

Risks & tensions

Timing coincides with 1994 Haitian refugee crisis and Cuban balsero crisis, suggesting emergency response context
Vague on funding amounts or duration of assistance
Repatriation assistance raises tension between humanitarian aid and deterrence of illegal migration
Foreign policy nexus may blur humanitarian and strategic objectives