Denouncing the human trafficking and forced labor of and profiteering from Cuban medical personnel serving in third-world countries.
H. Res. 205 is a non-binding House resolution introduced to denounce human trafficking and forced labor involving Cuban medical personnel serving in third-world countries, and to condemn profiteering from these arrangements. Citing the State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the resolution highlights alleged Cuban regime conduct—wage garnishment, passport and credential confiscation, surveillance, coercion, and threats to workers and families—and asserts substantial profits from Cuba’s labor-export program. It urges foreign governments to ensure fair recruitment and protections for workers, calls for the use of visa-revocation authorities against officials involved in trafficking schemes, and endorses related policy changes announced by the State Department in February 2025. Because a House resolution is a statement of congressional position rather than a new law, this measure signals U.S. policy preferences and can influence diplomacy and visa or sanctions considerations, but it does not itself create new legal obligations or funding.
Key Points
- 1Denunciation and evidence: The resolution states that human trafficking and forced labor of Cuban medical personnel abroad are gross violations of international labor and trafficking accords, supported by the 2024 TIP Report’s findings about Cuba’s labor-export practices and profits from foreign medical missions (e.g., Mais Medicos in Brazil).
- 2International obligations: It emphasizes that international partners and signatories have responsibilities to uphold workers’ rights and ensure working conditions meet global standards, while noting Cuba’s continued control over its workers abroad.
- 3Rejection of exploitation: It urges foreign governments to reject exploitation, profiteering, and wage garnishment tied to Cuban workers by ensuring workers are paid directly and not through the Cuban regime.
- 4Visa restriction tools: It urges the President to use visa-revocation authorities (as provided in law) against foreign and organizational officials who participated in Cuba’s trafficking schemes, including those involved with Mais Medicos (Brazil), PAHO involvement, and officials from Honduras and Mexico, until host governments meet their international obligations to protect workers.
- 5Policy alignment: It approves the policy changes described in a February 25, 2025 State Department press statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio titled “Expansion of Visa Restrictions Policy for Individuals Exploiting Cuban Labor,” effectively endorsing broadened visa-restriction measures.