| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | October 2008 
Mexico to Deport Cuban Migrants
 BBC News
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| | The Mexican security services have struggled to deal with the traffickers. | | |
Cuba's foreign minister has said Mexico has agreed to return Cuban migrants who arrive there without legal documents.
Felipe Perez Roque said the accord would help prevent people-trafficking, and provide for the return of illegal Cuban migrants trying to reach the US.
The agreement is expected to be signed on Monday in the capital, Mexico City.
The move would restrict the main exit route for Cubans aiming for the US, as many travel to Mexico first rather than trying to cross the Straits of Florida.
Correspondents say most evade immigration officials, and that the few who are caught are rarely deported. In most cases, they are given transit permits allowing them to reach the US border, they say.
Thawing of relations
Speaking to reporters on arrival at Mexico City's airport on Sunday, Mr Perez Roque said the measures agreed between the neighbours would "include a mechanism for the swift return of illegal migrants who try to use Mexico to get to the United States".
He said the accord would also "allow us to work together to prevent and confront illegal migration, people trafficking and all related crimes".
"Mexico and Cuba are victims of this policy that promotes illegal immigration from Cuba," Perez Roque said, referring to the US Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) allows most Cubans who reach American soil to remain in the country and apply for residency after one year.
Mexican officials say about 10,000 Cubans enter their country each year.
In recent months, the security services have been struggling with violence associated with the trafficking of the illegal migrants.
Correspondents say Mr Perez Roque's visit is being seen as a part of a thawing of relations between Cuban and Mexico, which were strained during the presidency of Vicente Fox, who left office in December 2006.
Cuba's foreign minister said he would invite the current President, Felipe Calderon, to visit the island in the near future. |
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