Chapter 8. The Mariel and Balsero Cuban Immigrant Experience

This chapter focuses on the differential family reunification issues experienced by Cuban Marielitos and balseros upon entrance into the United States. Treatment recommendations, aimed at ameliorating the emotionally laden reunification issues, are presented within a family systems and ecological context. The overall intent of this chapter/article is to assist mental health practitioners in their therapeutic work with members of a relatively small but distinct Hispanic ethnic group. Two case vignettes are presented as a means of illustrating the key family reunifications issues that have impacted-and continue to affect-Cuban Marielitos and balseros.