Cuban ImmigrationCuban Immigration. Almost anyone in the United States is aware of the large amount of immigrated Cubans into the country, but they may not be able to say in full the reasons for this Cuban immigration. In fact, there are two marked times in the history of the island that people have immigrated to the United States. The reasons for the immigration to the country will be outlined below, but it is important to note that the island is only ninety miles south of the Florida Keys, making it 'quite easy' for Cuban residents to reach the US. Pre-Independence ImmigrationAfter the island of Cuba was discovered by the Spanish, by Christopher Columbus to be specific, it was quickly recognized as an excellent location for a port to the new world, or the Americas. Because of this, the Spanish quickly took control of Cuba. This began in the fourteen hundreds, and Spain continued to control the small island through four centuries until the Spanish-American War, in which the island gained its independence. A large amount of Cuban immigration began during the pre-war years when revolutionaries were engaged in fights against the Spanish government. During this time, many Cubans immigrated to the American mainland either to escape the Spanish rule or to try to gain sympathizers to their effort. It worked, and the United States entered into the Spanish American War, which led to the Cuban independence. Communist Control Cuban independence from another country’s reign ended after the war, but true independence of the island did not last for long. Soon, a dictatorship in the form of a communist government led to serious issues in the economy, including a rise in poverty and a great influx of Cubans seeking escape in the United States. Because the Cuban government retains strict control of all areas, including education, economy, work force, and even food rationing, the Cuban people have found themselves in severely uncomfortable economic situations. In addition, the government has restricted the Cuban immigration to other countries and has virtually cut off any trade with other countries. Trade with the United States was restricted and regulated as a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cuban Economic Embargo. The Mariel Boat Lift - Cuban EmigrationIn the late 1970’s the Cuban economy suffered a severe economic crisis. During this time, it became evident that the majority of people on the island were living in extreme poverty, and there was very little being done by the government. During this time, Fidel Castro even released a statement saying that anyone was free to leave if they did not like where they lived. Between the months of April and October of 1980, many Cuban people took this suggestion. Setting sail from the Mariel Harbor in Cuba, more than a hundred thousand people immigrated to the southern area of Florida. However, many of the Cubans who fled the island were convicted criminals, leading to a marked rise in crime in the United States.
The Modern Day Cuban ImmigrationAfter 1980, it became evident that the United States government needed stricter immigration rules. From that time, more laws were put into effect, and the Coast Guard began regular patrols of the waters between Florida and Cuba. This slowed the number of illegal immigrants seeking to gain access to the country, but it did not stop it. Even in modern times, Cubans still seek to avoid the Coast Guard and reach American soil. The Cuban boat people have become so well known that they have even been featured in a Hollywood documentary. This film, called “The Balseros,” is in reference for the Spanish term for rafters. The documentary reveals how Cubans seek immigration into the United States, often floating the ocean on small rafts. Cuban Population in AmericaSince Florida is so close to Cuba geographically, it is no surprise that some of the highest concentrations of Cuban immigrants can be found in the southern area of the state, specifically Miami. However, there are concentrated populations of the immigrants in other areas of the country as well. Perhaps the most well known of these areas is Little Havana Miami. This sector of the Florida city is even counted on the United States Census as a separate area in population and culture. Because the large amount of Cuban immigrants, Little Havana has become a Cuban city so to speak with a strictly Cuban population. Other areas of the United States that have a large Cuban concentration include Tampa Bay, Florida, North Jersey and Western areas of New York City. Because Cuba has a history of independence issues, poverty, battles, and dictatorship, immigration to the United states has been a continued issue for hundreds of years. Through newly enforced laws, some of this has slowed, but boat people continue to seek access to the country.
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