• Encouraging Plurality
  • Providing Access
  • Building Capacity

End of “Wet Foot / Dry Foot” Policy

On January 13, 2017 all OCB provided coverage of the breaking news related to the changes on the “Wet Foot/Dry Foot” policy of the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 that allowed anyone who fled Cuba and entered the United States by land or sea would then be allowed to pursue residency a year later. Newscasts were dedicated to the policy announcement and included analysis from lawyers and reaction from Cuba, Congressional reactions and statements. The official declaration on the position of the United States Government on illegal immigration was placed in hot rotation during promotional breaks in programming. Original Marti content was shared with VOA Central News and the Voice of America Latin America Division. A VOA LatAm reporter in Mexico worked with Marti to cover the last Cuban to enter the U.S. under the “Wet Foot/Dry Foot” policy. We also did extensive coverage of Cubans that are stuck in transit in Latin America and in airports in the U.S. Subsequent daily follow-up in programming and newscasts continues. In August, OCB had special coverage on Cubans stranded in Panama with final order of deportation from the Panamanian government. We traveled to Panama and interviewed Cuban immigrants, government officials and representatives of the Catholic Church. Our video material was used across all platforms as well as in local Miami media, such as Telemundo 51 and Channel 23-Univision.

https://www.radiotelevisionmarti.com/a/cuba-eeuu-declaracion-conjunta/137145.html

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/12/statement-president-cuban-immigration-policy

  • Presenting the truth
  • Encouraging Plurality
  • Providing Access
  • Building Capacity
  • — Voice of America
  • — Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
  • — Office of Cuba Broadcasting
  • — Radio Free Asia
  • — Middle East Broadcasting Networks
  • Leadership
  • Financial Highlights

Submitted on behalf of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now U.S. Agency for Global Media) and pursuant to Section 305(a) of the International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-236). Because this report covers work completed in 2017, this document will continue to refer to the agency as the BBG.

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