Cuba has announced changes to the island's immigration policies, seeking to strengthen ties with the 8 lakh Cubans living outside the country. <br/><br/>Speaking to a group of Cubans residing in the United States, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said yesterday the new rules go into effect as of first January. <br/><br/>Rodriguez said the foreign ministry will authorise the entry and exit of expatriate Cubans through two tourist ports and allow the return of nationals who left the country illegally. <br/><br/>He also said the children of Cubans residing outside the country and those born in foreign countries will be able to obtain Cuban citizenship and identification documents.