The Cubans 07 12 2012 19 37 00 Come in the 1950s and 60s Cubans get their own waves because they come after our last immigration wave ended US involvement with Cuba pre 1960 Known for Sugar one of the largest producers in the world and to produce some of the best sugar there was US bought a LOT of Cuban Sugar Sick and tired of living under Spanish control for hundreds of years so they started talking about getting out from under Spain s control Cuba Libre Cubans want to govern themselves make money off the crops their country produces Asks the US for help in kicking out the Spaniards because we have a power want some sugar think we have something in common since America emerged from underneath England s rule Cubans knew the US could easily take over Cuba after helping kick out Spain so they make us swear to not take over Cuba So in the Spanish American War 1898 kicks out Spain We helped set up a system of government and whatnot including installing a puppet dictator controlled by the US to transition Cuba to being an independent nation Fulgencio Batista the last of the puppet dictators president was the worst Ignores everything low class Cubans want and only listens to rich Cubans and Americans Sells property to Americans selling land for casinos and even sugar lands Dixie Crystals comes from Cuba So this makes way for Castro who was actually very charismatic and whatnot Castro starts the 26th of July movement 1958 where they kick out all the Americans get rid of Batista called a nationalist movement Led by the nation for the nation a patriotic movement NOT a communist movement Yet Two years later Fidel Castro actually announces what he calls his First Movement of Cubans to America 1959 1962 1960 the switch from the Cuba craziness going form Nationalist to Socialist program communist Of course the rich people don t like this system because they want to keep all their money and use it how they see fit Why are Americans so freaked out Because we re so close Also due to the Cold war we think that all communist countries get along and that the Soviet Union would send over missiles They did later but you know Golden Exiles Not exactly wealthy because most of their assets were tied up in property reclaimed by Castro but they re skilled and educated and because the Americans used to hang out in Cuba they have connections in America as well Most of these people were coming over with light skin pearls dresses suits and are IMMEDIATELY invited into the Whitey club 200 000 come over Cuban American Adjustment Act o Grants these exiles refugee status it means you get to come in regardless of the immigration laws in place o Still under the Quota act so technically no Cubans could come over but we granted them an exception which almost never happens o And we also declare them permanent residents they get to stay here and work but not vote After 5 years they apply for citizenship and are granted it Pass the Cuban Refugee Program o Series of loans from the government totaling 1 2 billion paid back only in 5 years o These people build up the city of Miami with their doctors offices hotels restaurant etc o ALSO settled in Union City New Jersey because that was where the planes dropped them Back to Cuba 1962 1965 Problems with the middle class because people aren t so sure that Castro s the right person a lot of them get thrown in jail for speaking out Second Wave 1965 1974 Middle class people looking to leave Have some business skills are educated but have a lot in common with Americans Get on planes and boats called freedom flights from America to pick up these people The Golden Exiles with the help of America send the planes come in their yachts picking up their coworkers managers of their hotels and restaurants their children s teachers These people are called freedom fliers Naturally all the other immigrant groups HATE the Cubans for getting special treatment 500 000 Freedom Fliers come in Dropped off in Miami Granted refugee status but don t get loans because the golden exiles can help them get established Back to Cuba 1968 1980 more problems o Fidel starts cutting down on Cubans leaving and more and more want to leave because the lower class doesn t get anything and actually have a lot of things taken from them like education the right to speak out against the government But Fidel Castro won t let anyone leave Cuba at this time there is an Embargo now in place and refuses to let the Cubans leave So they re confused want to leave but can t leave legally April 1980 Cubans storm the Peruvian Embassy if you walk through Cuban gates into the Embassy you re on Peruvian soil and protected by Peru doesn t have an American Embassy because Cuba doesn t really recognize America exists who Third Wave April 1980 Marielitos o They want to leave something to get them out of Peru to leave Cuba You can t leave Cuba if you leave the Embassy Fidel turns off the electricity and water cuts off food supplies to the Embassy trying to starve them out This gets to the media that Fidel Castro is starving a country that isn t his so he gets mad and allows Cubans to be picked up from the Mariel port near the Peruvian Embassy allows them safe passage from the embassy to the port but also released all the Rapists Murderers and Child Molesters from his prison and tells America what he did but they can t figure out who s communism criminals things worse o Money Broke as a joke o Criminals The press says they are because Fidel Castro said so but people jailed were also a lot of political prisoners who spoke out against Castro friends of the US since they hate Specialists say only 1 of Marielitos are actually criminals but the press says everyone is criminals so now we think Cubans are poor dark skinned dirty o Scarface comes out a few years afterwards and only makes Reinforces the idea that all Marielitos are Criminals and are all heavily involved in the Drug trade and organized crime particularly moving Cocaine Freedomtowns were real things where Marielitos were kept with refugee status but don t only get out with illegal activity could get out in legitimate ways o Numbers 125 000 o Location Miami o Refugee Status no permanent residency so no jobs The golden exiles and freedom fliers did not like the way the Marielitos represented them so didn t really help them out unless family Back to Cuba 1980 1990 Fall of the USSR o Castro had become friend with the Soviet Union but it falls ends Becomes a socialist democratic
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