Cuba to America: Immigration to a New World

Contributed by Alexa Chavez

Cuba to America

Immigration to a New World

 

Many immigrants came to America from Cuba between 1959 till the early 60’s. A major push factor for leaving Cuba is mostly due to political reasons. Fidel Castro and his regime began to take over Cuba with their communist beliefs. As time continued, the economy became worse and this was the beginning of numerous people fleeing. These people came to America in search for a better life and for occupation opportunities. In Cuba, those who spoke poorly of the government were prosecuted, much different from the values of America. Many Cubans that came to America settled in Miami, especially in a section known as “Little Havana”. However others did migrate to New York, New Jersey, and California.

Interview:

Below is an interview with Armando Chavez, 57, who has immigrated from Cuba to the United States when he was 14 years old.

Q: What were some major differences between life in America and life in Cuba?
  

A:Freedom. There was no freedom in Cuba. The government had its hands into everything. We were rationed food, clothing, and shoes particularly, while here if you have the money you could get anything.

Q:What was a major struggle in adjusting to life here?
A:The language was a huge struggle. I came here at 14 years old so since going through primary school it created a hassle.
 

Q:How long did it take you to comprehend/be able to use English?

A: A couple of years.

Q:What was your reasoning to moving to America?

A:My parents wanted a better life for their kids.

Q:Was Castro a huge part for moving?
A:  Absolutely, again there was no freedom meaning there was no future.

Q:When did you come to America?
A:1970

Q:What were some things you brought with you when you came here?
A:Nothing but the clothes on my back. You weren’t allowed to bring anything out of the country.

Q:What is your earliest memory of being in America?
A: I always remember meeting my uncle in Miami. He had left Cuba when I was real young so I didn’t remember much of him.

Q:What were your parents’ thoughts in moving to America?
A:   They wanted the freedom, but it was very difficult to just pick up and leave with nothing.

Q:Compared to now what was the extent of Castro’s power?
A: I think he was more powerful then. Due to the fact that he is sickly now and that Russia was a    backup for him then.

Q:What were things you would do for fun in Cuba?
A:   We used to spend a lot of time with the family and play a lot of baseball.

Q:Do you feel that sometimes, even now, you are still acclimating to American life?
A: I don’t think so. I feel like I have become accustom to American life.

Q:If you could go back, would you to visit?
A:     I wouldn’t mind going but the truth of the matter is that anyone who goes there ultimately helps Castro with the profit from the traveling and what not. 

For additional information on immigration from Cuba:
 

"Immigration Library." Immigration Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2013.

Fradd, Sandra.

"Cubans to Cuban Americans." Doddcenter.uconn.edu. N.p., n.d. Web.
< http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/research/guides/immigration/MigrationToday_XI_4_1983_1.pdf>.
 

"Cuban Immigration: Immigration Between the 1960's and 1980's." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.< http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/00439/john/cubans2.html>.

Pedraza, Silvia.

"Cuba's Revolution and Exodus." Cuba's Revolution and Exodus. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.< http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jii/4750978.0005.204?rgn=main;view=fulltext>.

Anderson, Myrna.

Researching the CRC's Work with Cuban Refugees." - News and Stories. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.calvin.edu/news/archive/researching-the-crc-s-work-with-cuban-refugees>.