Lula Rodriguez recalls Mariel boatlift

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  A recently arrived Cuban stands in a tent camp for Mariel refugees. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  Recently arrived Cubans reside in one of the tent camps. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  Lula Rodriguez, center, with two U.S. government officials. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  Cubans from the Mariel boatlift reside in one of the tent camps. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  A group of immigration officials poses outside the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  Recently arrived Cuban children run in one of the tent camps. COURTESY OF LULA RODRIGUEZ

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  Lula Rodriguez, a former State Deparment official, was a volunteer during the Mariel boatlift at Opa-Locka and Krome Detention Center. ROBERTO KOLTUN / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF

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  Lula Rodriguez, a former State Deparment official, was a volunteer during the Mariel boatlift at Opa-Locka and Krome Detention Center. ROBERTO KOLTUN / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF

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  Lula Rodriguez, a former State Deparment official, was a volunteer during the Mariel boatlift at Opa-Locka and Krome Detention Center. ROBERTO KOLTUN / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF

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  Lula Rodriguez, a former State Deparment official, was a volunteer during the Mariel boatlift at Opa-Locka and Krome Detention Center. ROBERTO KOLTUN / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF

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  Lula Rodriguez, a former State Deparment official, was a volunteer during the Mariel boatlift at Opa-Locka and Krome Detention Center. ROBERTO KOLTUN / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF