Seeking independence from Spain, Cubans migrated to Florida over 150 years ago. Mario Garcia Menocal, former Cuban president, exiled in Miami Beach to overthrow the power figure in Cuba. A rush in Cubans traveling to Florida during the summers for low hotel rates was known as the “Cuban Tourist Season.” Political unrest caused majority of the professional and middle class to leave for the United States. Former Florida State Representative Luis Garcia speaks about his father who was an attorney against the Batista regime and was arrested multiple times. He was forced to leave and went on to be a busboy in Miami. Released prisoners and the mentally unstable migrated to South Florida with Castro’s permission. The attention from shows like Miami Vice and musical groups like Miami Sound Machine turned Miami Beach into a tourist attraction, and in time, a cosmopolitan area.