Summary
In the spring of 1980, Cuban President Fidel Castro opened the port of Mariel to allow Cubans less than happy with his revolution, people he referred to as "scum" and "worms," to escape his island gulag. More than 125,000 Cubans jumped at the chance and crossed the 90 miles of open water, in boats hired by their families, to Key West and a new life.
It's a tragedy that Mr. Castro's characterization stuck.See the full content of this document
Extract
A Marielita Describes Her Taking Leave of Cuba
After 25 years in the United States, an overwhelming majority of the "Marielitos" have assimilated and proved themselves to be hard working additions to the fabric of American life. Marielitos were not scum or worms, but like most immigrants to this nation, simply oppressed people yearning to breathe free. A scant few were cr...
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