Cuban Refugee Rafts

Between 1966 and 1995, anyone who fled Cuba and reached the United States was allowed to pursue residency one year after arrival. Many Cubans left the island in small boats and rafts, hoping to reach international waters where they might be picked up and brought the rest of the way to freedom. The small size of rafts from 1989 and 1994 suggests that their occupants hoped they would not have to travel the entire distance to United States shores in such tiny and fragile vessels. A 1995 revision of the Cuban Adjustment Act changed the policy: the United States would no longer admit Cuban refugees found at sea, but would admit and allow to qualify for permanent resident status any refugee who was able to get onto shore or arrive by a dry land route such as through Mexico. Refugees intercepted at sea would be returned by the Coast Guard to their place of origin. With this change, many refugee rafts became more substantial in anticipation of crossing the approximately 90 miles of open water between Cuba and Florida.

Ponce Inlet, Florida · United States