Final answer:
The difference between Cubans fleeing in 1959 and those in 1980 lies in the political situation, influenced by Cold War dynamics, with earlier migrants received due to their flight from communism, and later ones facing a more complex reception due to mixed socio-economic backgrounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the half million Cubans who fled Castro's rise to power in 1959 and the 10,000 'boat people' who fled Cuba in 1980 was predominantly the political situation. In the earlier wave of migrations, those fleeing were often from wealthier and more educated backgrounds, and the United States was very receptive to them due to the Cold War politics, granting them refugee status. The latter group in 1980, known as the Mariel boatlift, included many from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and while still received by the US, the motives and composition of this group were more mixed.
The political situation for Cuban migrants was heavily influenced by Cold War dynamics, with the US granting asylum almost automatically to those fleeing communist countries like Cuba. The situation significantly contrasted with that of asylum-seekers from right-wing dictatorships allied to the US, such as El Salvador, who faced much greater challenges in obtaining refugee status.
The stark difference in the treatment of refugees based on the political alignment of their home countries is a direct consequence of the international politics at the time, particularly the US's strategic interests during the Cold War era. This reflects the broader theme of how geopolitical considerations can overshadow humanitarian concerns in the realm of international relations and immigration policies.