Final answer:
Cuban immigration history to the U.S. is marked by significant events starting from Castro's rise in 1959 to the Cuban Migration Agreement in 1995 and the implementation of the 'wet foot/dry foot' policy in 2009.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of Cuban immigration to the United States is highlighted by several key events. These began unfolding notably in the late 20th century with the advent of Fidel Castro's communism.
- 1959: Fidel Castro comes to power leading to the start of significant waves of Cuban immigration to the United States.
- 1960s: The total Hispanic population in the United States triples, and many Cubans experiencing prejudice find strength in robust community and family networks, chiefly in Miami, Florida.
- 1967: Latino activists form the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, paralleling growing Cuban American communities.
- 1980: The peak of Cuban immigration occurs with the Mariel boatlift, during which hundreds of thousands of Cubans migrate to the United States.
- 1995: The Cuban Migration Agreement changes the legal framework for Cuban immigration, compelling many to use illegal means such as travel by boat.
- 2009: The U.S. government's "wet foot/dry foot" policy dictates the fate of Cuban migrants intercepted at sea versus those who manage to reach U.S. shores.
Cuban Americans have often fared better than many immigrant groups due to their higher relative wealth and education upon arrival, as well as favorable U.S. policies such as refugee status extended to those fleeing communist regimes.