June 30, 2010, Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee voted on House Resolution 4645, legislation that would lift the travel ban to Cuba. The United States has maintained harsh restrictions on travel to Cuba for roughly fifty years, making travel to the island effectively impossible under a ban on financial transactions with Cuban nationals. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) has represented over 425 individuals accused of violating the travel ban.

“We applaud the Agriculture Committee for recommending H.R. 4645 to the House for a full vote to finally put an end to this Cold War relic,” said CCR attorney Anjana Samant. “Upholding open dialogue, free exchange of ideas and the human right to travel are essential to a democracy—it is time to end the hypocrisy of US policy toward Cuba.”

Currently, family members with “close” relatives – limited by three generations removed – who are Cuban nationals residing in Cuba are authorized to make one visit per year for an unlimited length of stay. Additional trips or trips to visit individuals who are not Cuban nationals must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently increased the daily expenditure rate to $179 (as determined by the State Department).

The United Nations and international governments have steadfastly rejected the U.S. embargo, which infringes on the rights of all Americans to freely travel to Cuba. CCR has consistently criticized the travel prohibition as an irrational policy that violates international law and injures both Cubans and Americans alike.

For a copy of CCR’s amicus brief on family travel restrictions, click here. For more information on the travel restrictions to Cuba, see CCR's Reports and Publications page.