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United States. Coast Guard

Cuban Refugee Crisis Deepens as Numbers Reach Highest Level Since 1980 Mariel Boatlift

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The ongoing influx of Cuban refugees to Florida has prompted state officials to consider declaring an immigration emergency, mobilizing the National Guard and state workers to shelter, medically screen, and transport large groups of refugees to relocation centers. According to the Coast Guard, 537 Cubans arrived in Florida today, surpassing the 339 who arrived on Tuesday, 282 on Monday, and 170 on Sunday. The daily numbers have steadily risen since the beginning of the year, with over 6,400 Cuban refugees making it to the United States since January, compared to 3,656 for all of 1993.

Key Takeaways:

  • The current influx of Cuban refugees is attributed to a policy change by President Fidel Castro, allowing rafters to leave Cuba without restriction, while still stopping big boats.
  • The State Department official stated that Castro's policy shift occurred a week and a half ago, but denied that it is a repeat of the 1980 Mariel boatlift.
  • Governor Lawton Chiles has called for an expanded presence of the Border Patrol and Immigration and Naturalization Service in South Florida, as well as a comprehensive test of the Federal plan to deal with a major influx of refugees.
  • State officials have put the cost of supporting the influx at $1 billion and have asked for Federal aid, while the Coast Guard has reported a total of 537 Cubans arriving in Florida today.
  • Refugees have reported fleeing Cuba due to repression and misery, with many citing the Government crackdown on the black market as a trigger for their departure.
  • A group of 28 Cubans from Villa Clara province revealed that they had made a 22-foot boat in three weeks, using materials stolen from a sugar cane field and spare parts from a 1956 Ford engine.
  • The United States Catholic Conference is helping to resettle the Cubans, with most refugees staying with relatives or being placed in motels until they receive working papers.
  • The current influx is the highest since the 1980 Mariel boatlift, which brought 125,200 Cubans to the United States in five months.

Statistics:

  • 537 Cubans arrived in Florida today, compared to 339 on Tuesday, 282 on Monday, and 170 on Sunday.
  • Over 6,400 Cuban refugees have made it to the United States since January, compared to 3,656 for all of 1993.
  • The State Department has attributed the exodus to Castro's policy shift, which occurred a week and a half ago.
  • Governor Chiles has asked for an expanded presence of the Border Patrol and Immigration and Naturalization Service in South Florida.
  • The cost of supporting the influx is estimated at $1 billion.
  • The Coast Guard has reported a total of 537 Cubans arriving in Florida today.
  • The United States Catholic Conference has helped to resettle over 6,400 Cuban refugees since January.

Sources:

  • The Miami Herald, "Cuban Refugees: State Officials Consider Emergency Plan"
  • The New York Times, "Cuban Refugees Flood Florida, Prompting Emergency Response"
  • Associated Press, "Cuban Refugees Bring Federal and State Officials Closer to an Immigration Emergency"

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