1994 Cuban rafter crisis

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Special Period in Cuba the United States Coast Guard noticed an uptick in rafters from Cuba attempting to flee to the United States. In 1991 there were 2,203 intercepted, and 3,656 intercepted in 1993.[3]

In the summer of 1994 several Cubans began breaking into consulates and the homes of ambassadors as well as hijacking boats in hopes to leave the country.After the Maleconazo riots Fidel Castro announced that any Cubans who wished to leave the island could. Around 5,000 rafters had left earlier in the year but after the announcement around 33,000 rafters left the island. U.S. President Bill Clinton would announce that any rafters intercepted at sea would be detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Around 31,000 rafters would be detained at the base.[3] The Cubans held at the base were designated to live in a tent city Many at the Naval base were concerned they would be sent back to Cuba instead of granted permission to enter the United States.[4] A legal battle began over the status of the Cuban refugees and the Haitian refugees that accompanied them at the Guantanamo Naval Base.[5] Many Cuban detainees while waiting idle and uncertain of their futures would try to become productive. Some detainees constructed makeshift gyms, art galleries, newspapers, a radio station, and held poetry readings.[6] On May 2, 1995 the Clinton administration would announce that the majority of the detainees would be processed and allowed to immigrate.[7]

In response to the crisis Bill Clinton would enact the Wet feet, dry feet policy where only Cuban rafters that make it to U.S. soil will be allowed to remain. The U.S. will also only approve 20,000 immigration visas a year for Cubans.[7]