Why Cuban-Americans are Among the Most Successful Immigrant Groups in the U.S.

Introduction to Cuban-American Success

I guess all stems out from the fact that all of them came from a difficult, poor, and centralized country where hard work and creativity are not well reimbursed and where most everything is censored by the state. Once they are in the U.S., they are exposed to a sea of opportunities for development in all conceivable ways. They become aware of it and act on it. Once they see themselves growing, it becomes a non-stop force.

The Cuban Adjustment Act and Immigration Waves

Part of the reason for their success is the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows Cuban immigrants to become legal residents within a year of arriving and an easy and quick path to citizenship. This in contrast to other groups, such as Mexican immigrants, who might still be without legal papers and living off the books 30 years after first setting foot in the U.S.

First Wave: Early 1960s

The first wave of Cuban immigrants, after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, were mostly professionals, business owners, and wealthy. They believed the situation in Cuba would return to normalcy, and many chose to go to Miami because it was the closest to Cuba. These immigrants quickly established themselves in Miami, taking advantage of Cold War politics and their professional acumen. They became the 'ruling class' in a city that was still developing.

Second Wave: 1980 Mariel Boatlift

The second wave of immigrants arrived during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. This wave included a complex mix of political dissidents, Cubans whose families had left in the 1960s, and criminals released directly into the harbor from Cuban jails. Miami was already a friendly city towards Cuban immigrants, and the local Cuban business community provided employment opportunities. Many of these Cubans, especially those who could speak Spanish and understand Cuban culture, easily integrated into the drug trafficking boom that was raging in Miami at the time.

Third Wave: Early 1990s

The third wave of Cuban immigrants, in the early 1990s, was a desperate one. These Cubans left due to famine and a crumbling society. They faced different challenges as Miami was no longer a small town but a larger, more established city. While lacking knowledge of how things worked outside of a communist dictatorship, their hunger and need for a better life propelled them to start sending money and food back to their families. This wave was composed of a diverse social background and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Multifaceted Success of Cuban-Americans

Despite their varied backgrounds, Cuban immigrants have consistently found success in the U.S., driven by their resilience, hard work, and creativity. Their unique mix of factors that contributed to their success, including the Cuban Adjustment Act, social and economic conditions in their home country before the revolution, and the opportunities in the U.S., have all played a pivotal role in their remarkable achievements.

Conclusion

From the early professional class of the 1960s to the drug trafficking boom of the 1980s, to the desperate but hopeful immigrants of the 1990s, each wave of Cuban-Americans has contributed to their overall success in the U.S. This group has not only risen from challenging circumstances but has also shaped and influenced the American landscape in many positive ways.