Political Science

a) When and why did this migration occur Did people leave voluntarily, or were they forced out
The Cuban immigration to the U.S. is associated with a long history, and may be traced back to 1565 when numerous Cuban soldiers and families moved from Cuba to Florida. However, the actual movement of Cubans to Florida may be attributed to relocation of cigar manufacturing that was moved to the west coast of Florida to avoid unionisation of workers. Smaller groups of Cuban migration were evident between 1900 and 1959 and the migration is usually attributed to economic reasons such as the volatile sugar prices and 1929 depression (Sicius, 2010).

To understand better Cuban migration especially in the late 20th century, the analysis is grouped into periods of 1960-1980, 1980s, and Mid-1990s to 2000s. Political upheaval in Cuba is associated with the 1960-1980 migration, after the Cuban revolution of 1959 in which the new government started to introduce communism based on the requirements of Soviet Union US Immigration (US Immigration, 2010). The exodus at the early years of this period constituent mostly of middle and upper class that was also educated. Moreover, this period saw thousands of children been sent to Miami to be educated because their parents were afraid that the new government could sent their children to a Soviet bloc country to be educated. Catholic Charities played a major role in receiving the exiled children, providing them with basic requirements, until their parents could leave Cuba.

Additionally, in the 1980s many Cubans migrated to Miami in with the help of Mariel boatlifts. Many of the people who utilised this strategy were afraid of approaches that were utilised by the then president   Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro is believed to have championed communism based on the relationship with Soviet Union at that time. Thus, numerous people migrated to Miami because of communist tyranny (US Immigration, 2010). Moreover, Fidel Castro decided to poison the USA through sending people, whom the government of US termed them as  unadmissible . It is estimated that more than twenty thousand criminals were sent directly from Cuban prisons to Miami as well as persons with mental problems from Cuban mental organisations and institutions. The aim of this program was to clean Cuban society while ensuring that the USA society is  poisoned  (Countries and Their Cultures, 2010).

In the mid-1990s to 2000s especially after the USA implemented the policy  Wet Foot, Dry Foot , the migration pattern completely changed. Many Cubans passed through Mexico to Texas-Mexico border where they obtained asylum. Many of these people then moved o join their relatives in Miami. Most of the Cubans who moved after 1990s are attributed to economic reason rather than political reasons.

b) How large is the Diaspora
According to recent US census in 2000, it was found out 1,241,685 Cuban Americans both foreign and native born, and they represented 3.5 of Hispanics that are found in the United States. Moreover, eighty-five percent of the population identify themselves as being white, 3.6 Black while 7.1 have no specific orientation (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010). Most of the white Cubans associated themselves with Spanish, and in Florida, they associated themselves with the larger European Spanish Community or Spanish American, and usually share cultural ties. Moreover, according to the 2007 ACS, it was found that 1,611,478 Americans had direct origins from Cuban born in Cuba, 628,331 were born in America. From those who came directly from Cuban, 415,212 were not US citizens.  Up to date, Cubans continue to move to United States because of economic or personal reasons e.g. education requirements (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010).

c) Has the move been a positive experience, or have they encountered difficulties in their new home Explain.

Most Cubans who migrated to the United States have witnessed a positive experience but some have encountered difficulties especially on the modes of travel plus migration documents. The US government has continuously championed the immigration of Cubans For example, before 1980, the United States saw all immigrants from Cuba as political refugees. However, the policy changed in the 1990s after the introduction and implementation of  Wet feet, dry feet policy , when Cuban who reached U.S. soil are granted refugee status (Sicius, 2010).

Moreover, the US government congress passed a resolution that assisted Cubans in America. The 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act ensured that Cuban received direct financial assistance of up to 1.3 billion (Sicius, 2010). Cubans in United States were also eligible to numerous benefits that included free English course, scholarships, public assistance, Medicare, and low interest college loans.  Furthermore, some banks provided loans to those individuals who lacked securities, and these people utilised these loans in starting their businesses (Miguel 18).

It is evident that most Cubans who motivated from Cuba to United States have seen the move been a positive experience and a few have had trouble especially due to personal characteristics e.g. crime and papers. The US government understood the hard times and lives that these people live in, and thus introduce numerous benefits that made living standards to be like those of other US citizens. The income (median) for most Cuban Americans is higher compared to all Hispanic groups but lower than other whites (non-Hispanic) (Countries and Their Cultures, 2010). The Cuban Americans have benefited immensely on education because it is estimated that twenty-five percent have a college education, while thirty-nine percent of United States   born Cuban Americans have a degree or other qualifications that are higher than college degree.

d) How have these immigrants sought to preserve their native culture How have they balanced their old and new identities

Most descendants of Cuba or Cuban America can be traced to the Spanish. Within the Miami region, numerous Spanish people can be found and thus their culture and those of Cuban American does not conflict (Countries and Their Cultures, 2010). The traditions, beliefs, and norms differ partially with those of host land, but through assimilation process, conflicts are minimised. Moreover, most activities that took place in Cuba are similar to activities and functions that take place in Miami. For example, most Cubans are Roman Catholic, this religion is in Miami, and thus there is no conflict. Moreover, they have balanced their cuisines and foods to those of American culture, hence, preventing an ideology difference (Sicius, 2010). Additionally, the new generation (Cubans born in US) embrace the culture of America and sometimes include their traditional requirements through going to institutions and Cuban based cultural settings. The Cuban government established a grammar school to ensure that the Cuban culture is preserved. In such schools, the students learn patriotic hymns, and folk songs that ensure their culture is preserved. Moreover, business and organisations are in place that provides Cuban based services, especially native based services such as foods and other traditions (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010).

e) Has this group sought to influence the policies of the government toward their homeland If so, in what ways How effective have these efforts been
     
Many Cubans in US aims to ensure their homeland is suitable for living. Thus, communities in the diaspora have introduced different strategies to ensure hostland govenrmnent policies influence the way operations takes place in their homeland. To achieve this goal, Cuban American lobby is a term that is commonly used to describe a group of Cuban exiles that are located in the United States, and the main aim of their descendants is to influence United States government over its policies toward Cuban - or these groups may be termed as anti-Castro groups. Some organisations that make this lobby include Cuban Liberty Council, Center for a Free Cuba and US-Cuba Democracy PAC (Sicius, 2010).
   
The most evident and among the first influences championed by exiled Cubans was submitted to United States government in 1979, and was signed by more than t thousand Cuban Americans. The petition campaign was organised by Cuba American Committee Research and Education Fund (CACREF), and the aim of the campaign was to pressure the US government and congress for changes in US policy towards Cuba. With time, numerous organisations have been established that are directed in forcing the US government to institute policies that would make Cuba a better place for her citizens (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010). The Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) is an organisation that is formed by exiled Cuban whose main aim is to overthrow Cuban government based on the fundamentals of Fidel Castro, and change it towards a market based and transition to a pluralistic democracy. CANF operates the same way as Center for a Free Cuba in that they gather and disseminates information about Cubans and Cuba to NGOs, media, and international community, while also providing humanitarian programs and information outreach. This approach and media publicity forces US government to formulate and implement policies that are within the view of these organisations (Miguel 17).
   
Additionally, both in the government and congress there are Cuban Americans who he positions and continuously champions and influences the government of United States to institute policies that will free Cuban from communism and other factors that are not supported by free democracy and trade (Sicius, 2010). Generally, exiled Cubans influences the policies that are instituted by their host land even though the rate of success is usually minimal.