In 1966, the Cubans' special status officially was sanctioned by the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allowed them to become permanent legal U.S. residents one year after they arrived -- legally or illegally -- on this country's shores.
In 1984, the United States and Cuba reached an accord under which Cuba agreed to take back 2,746 criminals from the Mariel boatlift. Cuba unilaterally suspended the agreement the following year, but in 1987, the two countries renewed the pact. Mariel felons slated for deportation rioted in prisons in Oakdale, La., and Atlanta.
Under the Clinton administration, a series of policy changes have, in effect, removed special privileges for Cubans as a whole:
Sept. 9, 1994: The United States and Cuba agree to a migration pact that requires the United States to issue at least 20,000 visas to Cubans each year. The pact comes at the end of a summer that saw more than 20,000 Cubans take to the sea in efforts to reach this country. In exchange, Cuba promises to take back any of the rafters held at Guantanamo Bay who wish to return home, and to work to cut off the massive exodus from the island. The two sides pledge to continue to meet on migration issues every four to six months.
May 2, 1995: The United States and Cuba announce that 21,000 Cuban rafters held at Guantanamo would be admitted to the United States -- but that all future rafters rescued at sea would be returned to Cuba. The announcement was a reversal of an earlier pledge by the Clinton administration that it would not allow the Guantanamo Cubans entry to this country.
Although the administration did not publicize this aspect of the agreement, it also laid the groundwork for the possible return to Cuba of rafters who reached U.S. shores. In its talks with the Cubans, U.S. officials discussed the possibility of treating Cubans who reached U.S. soil without proper documentation as they would any other illegal immigrants, meaning they would have to prove they faced political or religious persecution at home or face deportation.
Feb. 24, 1996: Two civilian planes piloted by volunteers of the Miami-based Brothers to the Rescue group are shot down by Cuban MiG jets. In the outrage following the incident, the administration signs the Helms-Burton Act, which seeks to discourage foreign investment in Cuba.
Dec. 5, 1996: After a 10-month hiatus in migration talks, Havana invites the administration back to the negotiating table and says it will consider Washington's request to allow repatriation from U.S. soil of non-criminals in the future.
Copyright © 1996 The Miami Herald