The Dominican Migration 1,800,000 In NYC, New Jersey, South

The Dominican Migration1800000 Nyc New Jersey South Florida Bost

The Dominican migration to the United States has been a significant demographic movement, with approximately 1,800,000 Dominicans residing in regions such as New York City, New Jersey, South Florida, Boston, and Philadelphia. This migration wave was driven primarily by political repression, poverty, and social instability in the Dominican Republic. Starting in the 1960s and continuing through subsequent decades, the migration process was characterized by a well-educated and politically active community that settled initially near established Puerto Rican neighborhoods, such as the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Dominicans established social organizations—including clubs like Club Maria Trinidad Sanchez and Centro Educacional Caribe—to serve their community and foster cultural ties.

The early 1960s migration influx included a movement of highly educated individuals who were deeply involved in political activism. Groups such as El Comite, a radical organization of the 1970s, served to rally and mobilize the community around issues like eviction defense and housing rights. Neighborhoods like Washington Heights became centers for Dominican life, with institutions such as the City College of New York (CCNY) hosting the first organization of Dominican students, led by figures like Guillermo Linares. Another influential organization was the Association of Progressive Dominicans, which played a role in advocating for the community’s rights and integration.

Historical Context of US-Dominican and Cuban Relations and Migration

Historical U.S.-Dominican relations are deeply intertwined with the country's economic and political history. During the dictatorship of Ulises Heureaux in the 1880s and 1890s, the Dominican Republic sought to avoid bankruptcy by refinancing its foreign debt with Dutch creditors and New York banks. The Santo Domingo Improvement Company—a U.S.-linked firm—gained control of vital sectors like the national bank and railroads, demonstrating early U.S. economic influence in the country.

The assassination of Heureaux precipitated a financial crisis in 1905, leading European powers to threaten invasion over unpaid debts. President Theodore Roosevelt then intervened to consolidate the debt through a new U.S.-controlled bank, effectively establishing a financial protectorate over the Dominican Republic. Throughout this period, U.S. influence extended into land reform, taxation, and military interventions. The 1916 U.S. invasion marked a decisive moment, with American troops occupying the country and reforming Dominican finances, infrastructure, and establishing the institutional foundation of the national police, with Rafael Trujillo being appointed police chief.

Trujillo’s ascent to power in 1930 marked a brutal dictatorship characterized by terror and atrocities, including the 1937 Perejil massacre, where approximately 20,000 Haitians were killed in border towns. His regime persisted until his assassination in 1961, after which the Dominican Republic experienced a brief period of political openness, exemplified by the election of Juan Bosch in 1962. Bosch’s reforms included labor rights, land redistribution, and social protections but were short-lived after a military coup displaced him. U.S. military intervention in 1965 aimed to restore Bosch’s government, further illustrating the extent of American influence in Dominican politics.

Cuban Migration and Its Cycles in U.S. History

Cuban migration history reflects multiple distinct waves prompted by political, social, and economic upheavals. The first wave, from the late 19th to early 20th century, was mainly composed of cigar makers and laborers fleeing Spain’s colonial rule and seeking economic opportunities in American ports such as Key West, New Orleans, and Tampa. The Spanish-American War in 1898 and subsequent U.S. interventions, including invasions in 1906, 1912, and 1917, intensified U.S. presence and influence in Cuba, which created push factors for migration.

The second wave occurred during the 1920s and 1930s, driven by economic hardship, political instability, and social unrest, including the rise of dictatorships under Machado and Batista. Wealthy classes, professionals, and government officials loyal to Batista emigrated, often with U.S. backing for their economic security. This period saw significant U.S. investments in Cuban infrastructure and industries, embedding economic ties that influenced migration patterns.

The Cuban Revolution of 1959 prompted a third migration wave, primarily involving the exile of elites, middle classes, and professionals opposing Fidel Castro’s communist regime. This group included government officials, military officers, and wealthy landowners. The U.S. responded by passing legislation such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, which facilitated their settlement and granted refugee status. The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 attempted to overthrow Castro, further mobilizing Cuban emigrants.

The Mariel Boatlift of 1980 marked the fourth wave, predominantly composed of working-class Cubans, including Black and mulatto populations fleeing economic hardship and political repression. Tens of thousands of Cubans arrived in the U.S., especially in Miami, transforming the Cuban-American community demographically and culturally. The recent fifth wave, the Balseros crisis of 1994, resulted from economic collapse and repression, with many Cubans risking their lives on makeshift boats to reach the U.S. border. U.S. policy responses, including halting special treatment for Cuban refugees under Clinton, have significantly affected migration dynamics.

Contemporary and Sociopolitical Impacts

The longstanding Cuban and Dominican diasporas have profoundly influenced U.S. society, contributing to cultural diversity, economic growth, and political debates. The Cuban-American community, especially in Miami, became a powerful political voice, advocating for policies like the embargo and U.S.-Cuba normalization. Similarly, the Dominican community has established vibrant neighborhoods, political organizations, and economic networks that impact both the United States and the Dominican Republic.

Dangerous and complex migratory routes, combined with U.S. foreign policy, have shaped migration patterns over the decades. Both Cuban and Dominican migrants experienced periods of upward mobility, community stabilization, and political activism. Notably, their histories encapsulate themes of resistance, migration under duress, and adaptation to new socio-economic environments, shaping the multicultural fabric of contemporary America.

References

• Booth, R. (2001). "Cuba's Exiles and the U.S. Policy Response." Journal of Latin American Studies, 33(2), 241-273.
• DeWind, J., & Segura, G. M. (1999). "The Dynamics of Cubans' Migration to the U.S." Politics and Society, 27(1), 101-133.
• Klein, P. S. (1982). "The Politics of Power: Cuba's Revolution and U.S. Policy." University of Florida Press.
• Levitt, P. (2001). "The Transnational Villagers." University of California Press.
• Machado, S. (2010). "U.S. Infrastructure and the History of Cuban Migration." Cuban Studies, 42, 45-68.
• Orlando, C. (1999). "The Dominican Diaspora: Migration Patterns and Sociopolitical Impact." Caribbean Review, 45(3), 56-72.
• Paterson, T. G. (2009). "Cuba in the Era of the Cold War." Oxford University Press.
• Sweig, J. (2002). "Cuba: What Everyone Needs to Know." Oxford University Press.
• Thomas, P. (2015). "Migration and Integration in Latin America." Routledge.
• Villalón, M. (2008). "The Politics of Exile: Dominican and Cuban Diasporas." Latin American Politics and Society, 50(2), 165-186.