Cuban Immigrants From 1959-1962: The Golden Exiles

Cuban immigrants from 1959-1962 were considered the first wave known as the Golden Exiles. They used a combination of physical and cultural capital to generate an economic enclave in South Miami. The Cuban enclave created an ethnic solidarity, which formed business ties. Golden Exiles created a society of Cuban immigrants allowing them to gain access to both physical and cultural capital necessary to establish themselves. This was just the beginning of Cuban success, as Cuban businesses were not limited but were now able enter the mainstream of the American economy and were in direct competition with Anglo-American businesses. By 1990 Cubans owned 25,000 businesses and make up 40% of the wealthiest Hispanics. Cubans came to the states voluntarily