cuban refugees in miami
... The first and second wave of immigrants that arrived in Miami firmly believed that their stay in the US is a temporary one, and that once the communist government had collapsed they would be able to return to the island. ... The Kennedy administration established the Cuban Refugee Programme, which granted “visa waivers” to Cuban refugees. As well as this many voluntary relief organisations were created to ease the integration of the new Cuban arrivals. The first wave of Refugees consisting of the political elite and Cuban professionals had started to leave Cuba encouraged by the American government, who tried to empty Cuba of it’s natural human resources. ... And Cubans who had been doctors could now be found washing dishes in Miami. ... Programmes such as the Cuban teachers programme were set up in order to effectively utilise the skills of this group of émigrés. ... However this wave of immigration did cause some resentment among the Anglo-American and African-American communities in Miami. ... The Cuban attitude that their stay was only temporary resulted in many Cubans taking part in counter-revolutionary activities. ... In 1966 the Cuban adjustment act initiated by the Johnson administration meant that all Cuban would receive immediate refugee status on arrival in the US. This lead to further drain on human capital in Cuba and in concert with the blockade the Cuban economy began to suffer and many of the second waves of émigrés were accused of being simply economic migrants. However, the Cuban community in Miami began to flourish and the Cuban enclave was clearly established. ... By November 1979 the committee de los75 was established to begin talks with the Cuban government so intense was the arguing among exiles that two delegates were assinated and many of the prisoners themselves strongly opposed any talks with the Castro government. ... By the 4th of May 13,000 refugees had arrived in the US. The carter administration was overwhelmed and was forced to adjust the Cuban Refugee Programme and revise the policy of “open hearts and open arms”. Processing camps were opened in Key West, opa locke and I-95, refugees were interned in these camps until they were collected by their families or found a sponsor.