have also enjoyed greater benefits due to their "refugee" status within U.S. immigration policy. These benefits, such as those provided by the Cuban American Act of 1966, have allowed Cuban-Americans to enjoy an easier time of navigating economic obstacles. Education Among U.S.-born Cuban Americans, 36% have a college degree or higher, compared to 30% for the overall U.S. population. Of foreign-born Cuban Americans, 27% have a college degree. This is higher than the U.S. Latino population (14%) but lower than that of the overall U.S. population. According to the Pew Research Center, Cuban-Americans 25 or older who emigrated to the United States after 1990 have the highest graduation rate, at 26%. According to this same data, Cuban-Americans 25 or older who entered the United States before 1980 had a graduation rate of 24%, while those entering between 1980 and 1990 had a graduation rate of 13%. The decline in graduation rate from 1980 to 1990 can in part be attributed to the presence of Afro-Cubans among immigrants, who generally favor more poorly in multiple areas due to systemic inequalities in Cuba. Almost half of all Cuban-Americans have at least a high school diploma. Notable Cuban Americans In the United States Congress Ten Cuban Americans currently serve in the United States Congress. There have been eleven Cuban-American US representatives elected from Florida, two from New Jersey and New York, and one each from Texas, Ohio and West Virginia. Three United States Senators: Ted Cruz, Republican, Texas (2013–present) Bob Menendez, Democrat, New Jersey (2006–present), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 13th district (1993–2006) Marco Rubio, Republican, Florida, (2011–present) Seven are United States Representatives: Mario Díaz-Balart, Republican, Florida's 21st congressional district (2011-2013), and Florida's 25th congressional district (2003-2011) (2013–present) Anthony Gonzalez, Republican, Ohio's 16th District (2019–present) Alex Mooney, Republican, West Virginia's 2nd district (2015–present) Albio Sires, Democrat, New Jersey's 13th congressional district (2006–2013), and New Jersey's 8th congressional district (2013–present) Maria Elvira Salazar, Republican, Congresswoman from Florida's 27th Congressional District (2021–present) Carlos A. Gimenez, Republican, Congressman from Florida's 26th Congressional District (2021–present) Nicole Malliotakis, Republican, Congresswoman from New York's 11th Congressional District (2021–present) Former Congressmen: Carlos Curbelo, Republican, Florida's 26th district (2015–2019) Lincoln Díaz-Balart, Republican, Miami, U.S House of Representatives (1993–2011) Joe Garcia, Democrat, Florida's 26th congressional district (2013–15) Mel Martínez, Republican, U.S Senator from Florida (2005–09) David Rivera, Republican, Miami, U.S House of Representatives (2011–13) Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Republican,