The migration of Cubans differs in many ways from the experiences of other Latinos because they are the only Caribbean group whose immigration was welcomed by the U.S. Government. Cubans receive special treatment under immigration laws and have access to the White House and Congress. During the 1960’s and 70’s they considered themselves to be political exiles with the hope of returning to their island after the fall of Fidel Castro and his political regime. But that dream has started to deteriorate with some as they assimilate yet hold onto some of their cultural traditions. Changes in immigration policies geared toward Cubans have also changed so that some of the privileges initially granted have been taken away. New immigrants from Cuba who find their way to U.S. soil express a mixture of reasons that lead them here whether they be political, economic, or personal.
Another unique aspect of Cubans is their relative mass existence in South Florida. Miami has never been a primary destination for them. There is a small population concentrated in New Jersey. “For many Cuban-Americans, particularly those who left the island as children and those born in the United States, Cuba has become a creation of the imagination, a fictional space pieced together by recollections, fading photographs, and family anecdotes”. 6
