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Alina Fernandez Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 870

Scope and Content Note

The papers refer to the official and unofficial operations of the Cuban refugee camp at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas as well as the camps at Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, and Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Along with summary reports, of the Cuban Haitian Task Force, the collection contains sample interviews, English lesson plans, taped interviews and anecdotes by the Cuban refugees, and photographs of Ft. Chaffee. Most of the audio material is in Spanish as are some other didactic materials.

Dates

  • 1980-1984

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English and Spanish.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

The donor, Alina Fernandez, worked for the Cuban Haitian Task Force at Ft. Chaffee during the Cuban refugee influx. On April 20, 1980, Fidel Castro announced that all Cubans wishing to emigrate to the United States could leave from the Cuban port of Mariel by boat. Thus began the "Freedom Flotilla." By May 31, 1980 over 94,000 Cuban refugees had arrived in the United States. Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas was opened as a reception center in May, 1980 in response to the influx. In July 1980, the Cuban Haitian Task Force (C/HTF), an interagency organization which coordinated reception, resettlement and camp operations, assumed responsibilities for Ft. Chaffee refugee operations and that of the other relocation camps; Nicholas Thorne became its first director. By June 1981, 97% of the Cuban refugees in Ft. Chaffee had been resettled and the Cuban Haitian Task Force merged with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

Extent

3.25 Linear Feet (7 Boxes)

Abstract

Interviews, lesson plans, reports, taped interviews, photographs, and other materials concerning the operations of the Cuban refugee camps at Ft. Chaffee, AR, Ft. McCoy, WI, and Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA.

Arrangement of the Papers

Material is arranged and described in two series:

  1. Series 1. Cuban Refugee Materials, 1980-1984. Boxes 1-6.
  2. Series 1. Subseries 1. C/HTF, ORR, Ft. Chaffee and other agencies, 1980-1984.
  3. Series 1. Subseries 2. Educational materials, 1980.
  4. Series 1. Subseries 3. Audio Recordings.
  5. Series 2. Photographs. Box 8.

Acquisition Information

The papers of Alina Fernandez, of Arlington, Texas, were donated to special collections by her in 1988.

Processing Information

Processed by Norma Ortiz-Karp; completed in September 1988

Creator

Source

Title
Alina Fernandez Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Norma Ortiz-Karp
Date
1988
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444