Thread by @lomikriel

The Trump administration's moves on #Cuba this week, restricting remittances and threatening trade, are likely to intensify a growing stream of Cubans to the #Texas border. They already make up 80% of the migrants in Juarez.

houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…

The 870% increase of Cubans to El Paso this year has put neighboring Juarez’s migrant shelters at capacity and tensions are simmering under the administration’s practice of metering at ports of entry. Last week, CBP only let 5 asylum seekers through in one day.

The congestion has underlined the new reality: Cubans no longer enjoy ‘wet foot, dry foot.’ But they’re still better off than their Guatemalan and Honduran cohorts, some of whom are being returned to wait for their US asylum hearings in Mexico.

If Cubans are released on parole, they can still ask for green cards after a year under the Cuban Adjustment Act, ditto if they come on a tourist visa & overstay. More are doing so, lawyers say. The closed US Embassy in Havana means fewer visas issued & families paroled in fell

‘You’re going to see more Cubans coming in (illegally)’ one attorney said, blaming the influx on Cuban & border policies. 'The crisis of Cubans at the border is created by the current policies of the U.S.'
Pics @MarieDennise: Cubans in Juarez are filling the hotels, 5 to a room.

We followed Miguel Leyva on what he hoped would be his last trip to the Mexican migration office to wait for his lucky number to be called, indicating it was finally his turn to ask asylum. He didn’t know what would happen next.
houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…