President Donald Trump‘s travel ban on and restrictions on 19 countries includes Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela, which is going to impact this community more than most. It means that, as of Monday, the United States will suspend the issuance of most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for Cubans and Venezuelans, while fully banning entry from Haitians.
And local electeds are reacting with concern.
“Miami-Dade is home to the largest Haitian, Cuban and Venezuelan communities in the U.S., and I am deeply concerned by this decision which further divides us as Americans and harms hard-working families contributing to the essential fabric of the 
community,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“We learned from past travel bans that the end result is families being divided and loved ones unable to see each other. The work of our federal government should be to protect our borders and pass comprehensive immigration reform, not tear down our communities.”
Trump writes in the order that:
- “Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism. The Government of Cuba does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States. Cuba has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.’
- Venezuela “lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.”
- Haiti, has a 31% visitor visa overstay rate and mass migration from Haiti creates “acute risks of increased overstay rates, establishment of criminal networks, and other national security threats.”
There are some exemptions, according to the New York Times, including athletes competing in the FIFA World Cup matches next year. But nada on fans. Ladra is pretty sure the FIFA is going to pull out of the U.S and schedule those matches in Canada and Mexico, which are already co-hosting the tournament.
“I am deeply disheartened,” said Hatian-born Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, whose District includes one of the largest Haitian communities in the country. “This is not only a cruel and xenophobic policy proposal – it is a blatant attempt to scapegoat an already suffering people. This unjust policy will sow chaos in our communities, separating families, and disrupting lives.
Read related: Campaign ramps up vs Miami’s Cuban, Republican congressional delegation
“The Haitian Community has long been a cornerstone of Miami-Dade County, contributing to its culture, economy, and strength. Targeting Haiti in this manner is not just only discriminatory, but a betrayal of the values America claims to uphold – compassion, justice, and opportunity for all,” Bastien said in a statement Thursday, citing the hypocrisy in the administration’s policy.
“If Haiti is truly ‘unsafe,’ as President Trump now claims, then why did his administration terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals and cancel the CHNV (Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan) parole program for Haiti? The contradictions in his statements highlight the lack of genuine concern for the Haitian people and reveal a disturbing pattern of punitive, anti-immigrant policies targeting Black and Brown communities.”
Bastien also said that the U.S. bears some of the responsibility for the situation in Haiti.
“Let us be clear: the current crisis in Haiti is not occurring in a vacuum. Haiti’s instability is the direct result of decades of 
international interference, including the actions of successive U.S. administrations that have undermined Haitian democracy, supported illegitimate regimes, and crippled the country’s capacity for self-determination. Our Haitian brothers and sisters are now facing the consequences of policies and interventions that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind.
“Instead of banning Haitians, the United States must take responsibility for its role in creating the crisis and act with compassion, justice, and accountability. That starts with reinstating TPS and the CHNV program for Haiti, supporting Haitian-led solutions to restore security and democracy, and rejecting fear-based rhetoric that seeks to dehumanize our community.”
In Doral, Venezuelans, many of whom supported Donald Trump, gathered at El Arapazo — the same place where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott sought votes in 2014 blasting the Venezuelan government — to express outrage. Some are fearful that their work permits will be revoked. Others are upset that their family members won’t be able to visit.
Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, told the Miami Herald that the ban targeted nations that are already struggling and immigrants, and their families, that are not white.
Read related: Maria Elvira Salazar takes credit for judge extending TPS for Venezuelans
“They didn’t even try to hide the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia when drawing up this list,” she said. “The countries affected are all places devastated by war, dictatorship, famine and death.”
On Instagram, she posted an avatar waving and asking “Where are my MAGA friends?”
They’re either applauding, Ms. Ferro, or they simply don’t care.
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Miami-Dade leaders react to Donald Trump’s new ‘xenophobic’ travel ban added by Ladra on
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Support Our Petition for Stronger Family Values Affecting Cubans & Venezuelans Families.
Dear Neighbors, friends…,
We are reaching out to ask for your help in supporting a cause that strengthens the core American family values we all cherish. As a nation of immigrants welcomed by the promise of opportunity, we believe in unity, compassion, and the power of community.
Our petition seeks to uphold these values and make a positive impact for families across the country. By signing and sharing this petition, you can help amplify our message and create meaningful change.
How You Can Help:
1. Sign the Petition: Add your voice to this important cause.
2. Share Widely: Spread the word on social media, with friends, and within your community to inspire others to join us.
Together, we can make a difference for families nationwide. Thank you for your support, and may blessings be upon you and your loved ones.
With gratitude,
Andy Herrera,
https://nextdoor.com/p/cjtbFYrbBhMB?utm_source=share&extras=NjA5MzA2OTI%3D&ne_link_preview_links=&share_platform=10&utm_campaign=1750169957287
June 17, 2025
To: The Honorable Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Re: Request to Reverse Family-Based Immigrant Visa Restrictions in Proclamation 10949 for Cuban and Venezuelan Nationals
From: Concerned U.S. Citizens and Lawful Residents
Dear Mr. President,
We, the undersigned U.S. citizens and lawful residents, urgently request that your administration reverse the family-based immigrant visa restrictions imposed by Presidential Proclamation 10949, effective June 9, 2025. These restrictions disproportionately harm Cuban and Venezuelan families, undermining America’s commitment to family unity, inflicting humanitarian hardship, and limiting the economic and cultural contributions of these communities.
Lifting these restrictions, particularly for Cuba and Venezuela, would align with our nation’s values, address humanitarian crises, and maintain security through targeted vetting measures.
Humanitarian Urgency
Family-based visas are a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy, allowing citizens and lawful permanent residents to reunite with close relatives. For Cubans and Venezuelans, Proclamation 10949 exacerbates the pain of separation amid dire crises—political repression and economic collapse in Cuba and a humanitarian disaster in Venezuela. The restrictions disrupt thousands of pending applications, leaving families in limbo and compounding visa backlogs strained by per-country caps.
Cuban and Venezuelan nationals face extreme hardship, with many fleeing persecution, violence, and poverty. The suspension of visas, such as F2B (for unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents), prolongs family separation, causing emotional and financial strain. Reversing these restrictions would restore hope and reunite families, reflecting America’s compassionate legacy.
Economic Contributions
Cuban and Venezuelan immigrants significantly strengthen the U.S. economy, particularly in states like Florida and Texas. Cuban-Americans drive entrepreneurship, with Miami’s vibrant small-business ecosystem as a testament to their impact. Venezuelan immigrants contribute across sectors, from professional fields to startups. A 2023 National Academies of Sciences report estimates immigrants add $2 trillion annually to U.S. GDP.
Reversing visa restrictions would unlock further economic potential, enabling families to pool resources, start businesses, and support local economies. These diasporas are integral to communities that rely on their innovation and resilience. By lifting the ban, your administration can bolster economic growth and reward the contributions of these hardworking immigrants.
Community and Political Impact
The Cuban-American and Venezuelan-American communities are vital to America’s cultural and political fabric, especially in key states like Florida. The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 and historical support for Venezuelan refugees reflect a longstanding commitment to welcoming these groups. However, Proclamation 10949 risks alienating these communities, for whom family reunification is a core value.
The restrictions erode trust among these politically engaged groups, who have historically supported policies prioritizing family unity. Lifting the ban would demonstrate your administration’s commitment to their values, strengthening community ties and reinforcing America’s role as a beacon of opportunity.
Addressing Security Concerns
We acknowledge Proclamation 10949’s rationale, citing high visa overstay rates and challenges with identity verification due to limited cooperation from Cuba and Venezuela. However, family-based visa applicants, sponsored by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, pose low security risks, as familial ties ensure accountability.
Instead of blanket restrictions, we propose enhanced vetting measures, such as mandatory consular interviews, biometric screening, and sponsor verification. These protocols align with existing immigration processes and mitigate risks without penalizing families. Targeted vetting balances national security with humanitarian priorities, allowing lawful immigration to continue responsibly.
Legal and Practical Feasibility
Proclamation 10949 relies on INA 212(f), but its broad application to family-based visas risks legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s 2017 ruling upheld a narrower travel ban, but restrictions on Cuba and Venezuela may be deemed overly punitive given their low-risk profiles.
Reversing these restrictions is feasible within the proclamation’s 180-day review cycle and would complement exemptions for immediate relatives (e.g., spouses and minor children with DNA evidence). A targeted reversal for Cuban and Venezuelan nationals would uphold security while prioritizing family unity, avoiding potential litigation and aligning with judicial precedent.
Recommendation
We respectfully urge you to issue an executive action or amend Proclamation 10949 to lift family-based immigrant visa restrictions for Cuban and Venezuelan nationals. Prioritize approved petitions and implement robust vetting to ensure security. This action would reunite families, drive economic growth, and honor the contributions of these communities, reinforcing America’s values of compassion and opportunity.
Conclusion
Mr. President, your administration has the opportunity to balance humanitarian priorities with national interests. By reversing these visa restrictions, you can uphold family unity, strengthen communities, and demonstrate leadership rooted in American values. We trust you will act swiftly to address this urgent matter.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Andy Herrera, Constituent
Miami-Dade County, FL, U.S.A.
https://chng.it/yG9spzdJ42
Remember when the City of Doral give the key of the City to Donald Trump? and one year later or less asked him to return the key, BC he was not a good person, Well my Venezuelan friends, this is the revenge from Donald, sad but it’s true. do your research it’s TRUE.
,
” they love their dictators as long as they choose who it is = Trump now”
Let me add this and hope you read it , Living in Doral knowing all my Venezuelan neighbors , etc well , being Cuban but not from Miami yet tons of who I call Miami extended Cuban family .
Venezuelans are way more Independent voters then Cubans .
if Raúl Castro is still alive and ran for office as a Republican here in Miami he would carry the Cuban vote as that letter R and Dictator personality wins Cubans over .
MOST Venezuelans are thankfully not like Cubans here .
”Haitians in South Florida supported Donald Trump”
I do not doubt those you know did but the one’s I know did not and sadly MOST did not even vote .
Haitians in South Florida supported Donald Trump. The few Haitians who are registered to vote and the many loud Haitians who steal money from taxpayers supported Trump. Hello. Now Haitians must remain on their island and hopefully they won’t murder the next Haitian President in his bedroom.
[…] Read related: Miami-Dade leaders react to Donald Trump’s new ‘xenophobic’ travel ban […]
i feel sorry for the haitians as they did not vote for this – whereas the cubans and venezuelans asked for this, chose this, wanted thier relatives to suffer, not be able to come here, travel here – they new this is what they voted for yet complain now…no sympathy for them at all – plus less traffic in miami if they are all disappeared – they can go back to the countries they already ruined with voting for Castro, voting for Chavez – they love their dictators as long as they choose who it is = Trump now
”Do we really need more Cubans, Haitians or Venezuelans, or best of the best as the Democrats would say ?”
I do not fault you at all for saying that but of all there Cubans we OWN corruption .
”Ex-Hialeah police chief Sergio Velazquez arrested in alleged theft of public funds spent on Rolex, Cartier, authorities say”
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Sergio Velazquez, 62, who served as chief from 2012 until his suspension in 2021, is charged with structuring, grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud.
She called the case “shocking,” citing the breach of public trust by someone in such a high-ranking position. Velazquez was arrested as he left his home Monday morning.
At the time of his suspension by newly elected Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo in November 2021, Velazquez was earning $211,000 annually, making him the city’s second-highest-paid employee.
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/ex-hialeah-police-chief-sergio-velazquez-arrested-in-alleged-theft-of-public-funds-spent-on-rolex-cartier-authorities-say/
Putting aside Trump , Miami has always been a sanctuary city and yes the only difference is the Mayors now no longer say it but do not tell me con artist DeSantis did not know it as he looked the other way except when ICE came and he had no choice .
DeSantis simply did not want to tick off some groups but Haitians he had no problem going after
”Trump and Steve Miller were crystal clear what they were going to do when elected and are doing it. The Venezuelan community in Doral never assumed it included them because, well, they were wearing the red MAGA hats and waiving the Trump flags during the campaign and Cubans believe the immigration restrictions apply to others and not them. Elections have consequences and when the mid-terms arrive maybe think of firing Gimenez, Salazar and Diaz Balart from their jobs for continuing to support Trump!”
BEAUTIFUL .
And now they ear sh-t , like I tell all my Venezuelan neighbors here in Doral , You find out who most Cubans in Miami are voting for and you vote for the other candidate because the most racist , corrupt , unethical trash is who they will vote for .
”There is no Iron Curtain around America preventing people from leaving.
If some people think that America is xenophobic or whatever, then they are free to leave for a country that they like better,”
With this ” reasoning ” then all those who thought Trump was cheated when he ran against Biden thus Jan.6 should have left to a country they liked better .
There is no Iron Curtain around America preventing people from leaving.
If some people think that America is xenophobic or whatever, then they are free to leave for a country that they like better,
In fact, they should be encouraged to do so. We don’t want them around whining!
Trump and Steve Miller were crystal clear what they were going to do when elected and are doing it. The Venezuelan community in Doral never assumed it included them because, well, they were wearing the red MAGA hats and waiving the Trump flags during the campaign and Cubans believe the immigration restrictions apply to others and not them. Elections have consequences and when the mid-terms arrive maybe think of firing Gimenez, Salazar and Diaz Balart from their jobs for continuing to support Trump!
Do we really need more Cubans, Haitians or Venezuelans, or best of the best as the Democrats would say ?
Today’s MAGA is yesterday’s Chavista. Right wing, left wing, same authoritarian bird.
Con mi caudillo no te metas!
Xenophobic??? What the heck are you talking about? The only thing these “hard-working families contributing to the essential fabric of our community” do is to send money back to family in their home countries, with minimal benefit to our local economy. And if you think FIFA is going to pull the World Cup games from the US, you certainly have no clue about how the real world works. Keep up the good work!!! LOL
cubans and venezuelans have noting to complain about they voted for this!! they chose to eliminate their own relatives, have them deported, have them be unable to visit them here in the us…maybe next time (if there is a next time) dont repeat the same voting mistakes/support you made in your own country (i.e Chavez, Castro) – though they only know dictators
(Batista/Castro, Chavez/Maduro) and always choose one as they have now
We are fortunate to have Commissioner Bastien using her platform as a county elected official to speak the truth about these racist policies. She sees President Trump and Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller stoking the white supremacy crowd and is right to call it out. The MAGA folks need to realize cruelty and family separation are not Christian values.
In reference to the local Cuban and Venezuelan population, either remaining silent or applauding applies this Spanish saying:
“No hay peor cuña que la del mismo palo”