U.S. & Cuban Officials Discuss Migration Accords

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – For the second time since 2011, United States and Cuban officials are discussing the implementation of the 1994 and 1995 U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords.

Under the Accords, both governments pledge to promote safe, legal, and orderly migration between Cuba and the U.S.

Cuban officials also brought forth concerns.  "The Cuban government raised the issue of their prisoners in the United States of particular interest to their government, we took note of that," said Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Alex Lee.

During the talks, the U.S. delegation reiterated calls for Cuba to release Alan Gross, a man arrested in December, 2009 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for facilitating uncensored internet contact between a small, religious community in Cuba and the rest of the world.

"We believe that Alan should be released. Alan was arrested and sentenced to a 15 year sentence for attempting to provide a small religious community internet connectivity. We do not see any reason why he received such a harsh sentence for trying to promote internet connectivity between the island and the rest of the world," Lee added.