By Jason Chavis
The History of Cubans in Florida
Cubans have been immigrating to Florida since the 19th century, according to census statistics. However, following the Cuban Revolution of 1959, immigration levels increased heavily. A number of operations both with and without the approval of the U.S. brought Cubans to Florida. Throughout the decades Cuba became highly influential and a major cultural component of the state.
Operation Pedro Pan
Fearing re-education camps in the Soviet Union, many Cubans launched "Operation Pedro Pan." This was the policy of sending children to Miami to meet with Catholic Charities and become citizens of the U.S.
Population Explosion
Beginning in December 1965, the Cuban and U.S. governments agreed on a policy of airlifts for Cubans. By the time the agreement ended in April 1973, a quarter million Cubans had arrived in Miami.
Little Havana
One hundred thousand Cubans began to immigrate via boats in April 1980. The Cubans arrived at Florida harbors and raised the population to 541,011 by 1990. This caused many people to refer to parts of Miami as "Little Havana."
Wet Foot, Dry Foot
In the mid-1990s, the U.S. government instituted the immigration policy of "Wet Foot, Dry Foot." This meant that Cubans who successfully stepped foot on land, were given amnesty and refugee status. Those who did not were turned back.
Elian Gonzalez
In 1999, a 6-year-old Cuban, Elian Gonzalez, was the subject of a custody battle between relatives in Miami and Cuba. INS agents seized him on April 22, 2000, and returned him to Cuba with his father.
Resources
About the Author:
Jason lives and works out of Minneapolis. After 11 years of professional writing, he is the author of four books, two movies and a play as well as numerous articles for Scientific American, The History Channel, City Pages and The Onion. Jason is a graduate of the film school at USC.
Photo Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
