The recent decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke legal protections for Cubans, along with Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, could lead to the potential deportation of approximately 532,000 individuals from these countries. These individuals entered the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program initiated during the Biden administration, which allowed them to “legally” live and work in the U.S. with financial sponsors.
The Trump administration’s move, effective April 24, terminates their temporary legal status, urging them to self-deport or face arrest and removal by deportation agents.
Their legal status will end on April 24, 30 days after the notice’s publication in the Federal Register.
The move has been criticized by some lawmakers, who view it as a harsh measure affecting families in communities like South Florida.
This decision comes as President Trump recently signed an executive order allowing White South Africans to apply for refugee status in the United States. This decision was made in response to South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which Trump claims enables the government to seize land from white farmers without compensation, although no such seizures have occurred under the new law.
Are Cubans White?
The question of whether Cubans are White is complex and depends on how one defines “White.” According to the 2012 Cuban census, about 64.1% of the population identifies as White, primarily of European ancestry, with significant contributions from Spain, France, Italy, and other European countries. However, genetic studies suggest that even among those who identify as white, there is often a mix of European, African, and Native American ancestry. Hence, they’re certainly not as White as Norwegians or Germans.
And let’s not forget that over 30 percent of Cubans are Black or biracial. Cuba is a multiracial society with a history of intermixing among different ethnic groups, including Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans. The concept of race in Cuba is influenced by social and cultural factors as much as biological ones. Therefore, while a significant portion of Cubans identify as White, the reality is that many Cubans have mixed ancestry.
Did Cubans overwhelmingly support Trump in 2024?
In the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Cuban-American voters in Miami-Dade County showed a significant level of support for former President Donald Trump. According to the Florida International University (FIU) Cuba Poll 2024, 68% of likely Cuban-American voters planned to vote for Trump, marking an all-time high for his support within this demographic. This support is notably higher than in previous elections, where Trump received 35% in 2016 and 59% in 2020.