2nd LD-Writethru: U.S. ends "wet-foot/dry-foot" policy for Cuban immigrants

U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States is ending a longstanding policy that granted residency to Cubans who arrived in the United States without visas.

Later in the day, the Cuban government welcomed the decision, saying it is "positive".

Known as the "wet-foot/dry-foot" policy, the special U.S. immigration treatment for Cuba has been in place for more than 20 years.

As the new measure became effective immediately, Cubans who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal. The Cuban government has agreed to accept the return of Cubans who have been ordered to be removed.

"By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries," Obama said in a statement, calling it an important step forward to normalize relations with Cuba.

The move comes more than two years after Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17, 2014, that the two countries would normalize relations after more than a half century of enmity. The two former Cold War foes re-established diplomatic relations in 2015.

The special immigration policy, which puts Cubans who reach U.S. soil on a fast track to permanent residency, began in 1995 under President Bill Clinton's administration and is one of many Cold War-era policies that persisted despite the restoration of diplomatic relations and efforts to normalize ties.

The Cuban government has urged the United States to end the policy and negotiated with the U.S. side for months for the change.

The outdated laws "violate the letter and spirit of the Immigration Agreements in effect, through which both governments pledged to guarantee legal, safe and orderly emigration," the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement last July.

On Thursday, Obama also said in the statement that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is ending the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program.

"By providing preferential treatment to Cuban medical personnel, the medical parole program contradicts those efforts, and risks harming the Cuban people," Obama said.

Cuban medical personnel are now eligible to apply for asylum at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, consistent with the procedures for all foreign nationals. Endit