Cuban Americans in the Southern US

Matthew Jiminez

Since the middle of the 20th century, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Cuban immigrants to the southern United States. Thousands of Cubans migrated to the United States after the communist administration led by Fidel Castro was established in 1959, and many of them settled in Florida, especially in the Miami region. Over the decades that followed, there have been other waves of Cuban immigration motivated by political and economic concerns. This paper describes how Southern states and cities have seen significant changes in their economies, politics, culture, and demographics due to the wave of Cuban immigration. The presence of Cuban Americans in the South speaks to the importance of cultural identity, international communities, and the ongoing role of the United States as a destination for immigrants.

• Matthew Jimenez is a sophomore at Lander University from Miami, Florida. He is currently majoring in medical biology is planning on becoming a cardiovascular perfusionist.