U.S., Cuba set to talk about immigration issues

Charley Keyes
CNN Senior Producer

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/WORLD/americas/04/25/cuba.municipal.elections/story.cuba.jpg caption="Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated in recent months" width=300 height=169]

Washington (CNN) - U.S. and Cuban officials are set to sit down together in Washington on Friday to discuss immigration and other issues, according to a State Department spokesman.

"The U.S. views the migration talks as an important opportunity for both the United States and Cuban governments to discuss policies and procedures that promote safe, legal, and orderly migration," State Department spokesman Michael Tran told CNN Sunday.

Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated in recent months, in part because of Cuba's detention of American contractor Alan Gross, who has been held in Cuban prison since December. The two countries have not formally held immigration talks since February and next week provides another chance for the U.S. to call for his release.

Keep reading...