Cuban Adjustment Act

The Cuban Adjustment Act, passed in 1966, is a U.S. law that allows Cuban nationals who have been in the United States for at least one year to apply for permanent residency (a green card). The law was created in response to the large influx of Cubans fleeing political repression and economic hardship. It provides a pathway for Cubans to stay and become legal residents more easily than other immigrants, reflecting the U.S. government’s historical efforts to support Cubans seeking refuge.