Mariel boatlift

The Mariel Boatlift was a mass exodus of refugees who departed for the United States from Cuba's Mariel Harbour between April 15 and October 31, 1980. Fidel Castro eventually closed the harbour to all refuge-seeking Cubans. Due to ocean currents and its close proximity, the refugees' vessels headed to Florida and the majority landed in Miami. The immigrants were detained upon arrival and crowded conditions in South Florida immigration processing centers forced U.S. government agencies to swiftly move the "Marielitos" to other centers in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

Related Topics:
Refugees - Cuba - April 15 - October 31 - 1980 - Fidel Castro - Florida - Miami

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During this period, approximately 125,000 Cubans arrived at the United States' shores in about 1,700 boats creating large waves of people that overwhelmed the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of the vessels were barely seaworthy and a total of 27 migrants died, including 14 on an overloaded boat which capsized on May 17, 1980.

Related Topics:
United States - May 17

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Upon arrival, many Cubans were placed in refugee camps, while others were confined to federal prisons to undergo expulsion hearings. Some of the refugees were later discovered to be violent felons released from Cuban prisons. However, most of the refugees were very poor and merely sought a better life for themseleves.

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