When no detailed explanation was given for the delays, faculty at the Rockefeller Center sent letters to four congressmen to ask for assistance.

Emerson speculated that a prime reason for the delays may have involved national security.

“All of these scholars are in public health and medical professions,” he said. “There are certain concerns now about certain fields of research after Sept. 11.”

The process of getting a visa averages about 30 days for people coming from countries that the United States has normal relations with, Emerson said. But he noted that visas from some countries, like Cuba, take longer, but typically not more than a few months.

The law currently allows Cuban citizens to stay indefinitely in the United States once they arrive on American soil, something Emerson said has caused a “legal quagmire.”

“It’s very difficult because of this intent to immigrate,” he said. “It’s hard to meet that double standard of saying ‘please give me this temporary visa even though I could end up moving there.’”

Maestre Mesa said he hopes that academic visits between Cuba and the United States will continue to grow in the future—and sees his visit as a portent of positive relations in the future.

“We are at the beginning of the solution of the problem,” said Maestre Mesa. “Our visits could facilitate scientific exchange between U.S. and Cuba.”

But Díaz said that he is unsure whether restrictions on Cuban scholars will be eased in the coming years.

“I don’t know how the future looks,” Díaz said. “There are periods of good relations, but it is always changing and you never know which period you are in.”