Policies Affecting Cuban Americans

1899 to 1932 Early Immigration Period
1961 to 1975 First Wave of Refugees
1965 to 1973 Second Wave of Refugees
1980 to 1984 Third Wave of Refugees


EARLY IMMIGRATION PERIOD

1899 Spanish-Cuban-American War-U.S. intervention ended Spanish rule of Cuba; U.S. administration of island
1932 Good neighbor Policy of Roosevelt administration


FIRST WAVE OF REFUGEES

1961 Diplomatic relations broken between the United States and Cuba
1961 -1975 U.S. Cuban Refugee Program
1962 Commercial air flights between the United States and Cuba ended, as did open immigration


SECOND WAVE OF REFUGEES

1965 President Lyndon B. johnson signed a "memorandum of understanding" paving the way for airlift
1965 -1973 Cuban refugee airlift program sponsored by U.S. government
1966 Cuban Refugee Readjustment Act


THIRD WAVE OF REFUGEES

1980 Mariel boatlift; temporary refugee centers created; special refugee status for Cubans ended when boatlift ended

Refugee Act of 1980

1984

U.S. immigration and Naturalization Sercide ruled mariel "entrants" eligible to apply for permanent resident status under 1966 Cuban Refugee Readjustment Act [Back]