Obama Repeals Cuban 'Wet Foot, Dry Foot' Policy

President Obama terminated a longstanding policy that allows any Cuban who touches U.S. soil to become a legal permanent resident and citizen.

Under a 1995 amendment to the Cuban Adjustment Act, a Cuban interdicted in the water between the two countries is considered to have “wet feet” and sent back home. A Cuban who reaches U.S. soil can claim “dry feet” and qualify for immigration benefits one year after arriving. No aliens from other countries are given this benefit.

After Obama normalized relations with Cuba, thousands of Cubans headed to the U.S. via Central American landing points in an effort to take advantage of the policy before it was ended. During fiscal year 2016 budget year, over 41,500 Cubans presented themselves at the southern border – a five-year high -- and 7,000 more came by the end of November 2016.