HAVANA (AP) — U.S. lawmakers met Tuesday with Cuba's foreign minister and have been told they will be allowed access to an American imprisoned in Havana, with the State Department saying they will push for his release.

The delegation, led by Sen. Patrick Leahy, was also hoping to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro before it departs Wednesday.

The detention of Maryland-native Alan Gross has become the chief impediment to improved relations between Washington and Havana. The 63-year-old was arrested in 2009, when he was caught bringing sensitive communications equipment into Cuba during a USAID democracy-building program. He was sentenced to 15 years.