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After Cuban and U.S. forces defeated Spanish forces during the Spanish-American War 1898. Spain signed the Treaty of Paris giving Cuba Independence, The United States still occupied the land until 1902 officially giving Cuba Independence.
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Fidel Castro after leading Cuba to victory in their revolution he became the Prime Minister of Cuba shortly after. Though Cuban citizens weren't happy with this. Many opposed his ideals and communist regime so Cubans emigrated to the United States.
Many middle-class Cubans had left and around half a million entered the United States. -
This was the first major wave of migrations to the United States. Many came through Florida and after that first wave several other waves followed.
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refugees exiting a freedom flight in Miami -
Freedom Flights was the transportation of Cubans to Miami. They were flown twice daily, five times per week. About 270,000 refugees were brought over to America, making it the largest airborne refugee operation in American History. This was a result of an agreement between U.S. and Cuban governments to provide a legal way for Cubans to migrate to the U.S.
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The development of concentrated communities have created hubs for mutual support, helping those who are new to find housing and work.
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1966 the Cuban Adjustment Act was a federal law that allows Cubans who have been physically present in the United States for at least one year to apply for lawful permanent residency.This offered a fast way to legal status compared to other immigrant groups.
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This was a Mass emigration of over 125,000 Cubans to the United States between April and October of 1980. Castro had announced that all Cubans who wish to emigrate to the U.S. are free to board boats at the port of Mariel west of Havana. -
In 1995 the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy that allowed Cubans who reached U.S. soil to stay, while those intercepted at sea were returned to Cuba or a third country.
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In 2017 Cubans were the third-largest Hispanic population in the United States, with around 2.3 million calling it home. The majority of Cuban Americans live in Florida, with Miami-Dade County being the largest center for the Cuban community outside of Cuba. Cuban Americans have higher educational attainment than the Hispanic population overall.
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The Cuban Adjustment Act played a big role in Cuban Assimilation in the United States along with government aid; which includes refugee programs that provided financial, health, and education services. Cuban Americans also play significant roles in the U.S. economy. They have had a cultural influence on American culture and Cuban Americans have worked to create a hybrid cultural identity that respects their heritage while also embracing their American life.