Operation Sea Signal was a United States Military humanitarian operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. As a result, the migrants became refugees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The operation took place from August 1994 to February 1996 under Joint Task Force 160. The task force processed over 50,000 refugees as part of the operation. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy rescued refugees from the sea and other migrants attempted to cross the landmine field that then separated the U.S. and Cuban military areas. Soldiers and Marines provided refugee camp security at Guantanamo Bay, and ship security on board the Coast Guard Cutters. This mass exodus led to the U.S. Immigration implementation of the Wet Feet Dry Feet Policy. The mass Cuban exodus of 1994 was similar to the Mariel boat lift in 1980.
Read more about Operation Sea Signal: Background, Operations, United States Military Forces, Operations Safe Haven and Safe Passage, Joint Meritorious Unit Award
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