More on Balseros

From The Peopling of NYC

As a Cuban refugee, becoming a United States resident was a difficult and distinct process to say the least. Oftentimes called balsero, which is a Spanish term literally meaning ‘ferryman’, the Cuban refugee would resort to practically any means necessary to make the 90 mile trip to reach the U.S. south coast.

Reference-

Latin American Studies. 15 December 1997. Dr. Antonio Rafael de la Cova. March 2007. < http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/balsero-rafter-crisis.htm>