How does our history with the Mariel Boatlift compare with the Syrian Refugee initiative?

1.) Cuba: Religious "Alignment." --Cuba is predominantly Christian, more specifically Catholic. Despite the fact that most Americans suffer from xenophobia, if the refugee is "more" like us, we're more apt to hold the door open for them.

2.) Syria: Religious "Mis-Alignment." - Currently, most Americans carry prejudices against the Muslim community. I'm sure it's not helped by videos of Islamic militants screaming "Allah Akbar!" every time ISIS, or the like, make the headlines.

As for me personally, I am quite divided: The Catholic "way" would be to welcome these folks in, give them an opportunity, and help my fellow man. The ol' jarhead within tells me to keep 'em at their own border. I suppose the average American Archie Bunker is unable to separate those who want a chance at a better life from those who would prefer to take ours.

Well the Mariel boatlift brought a significant number of thugs to this nation among the refugees Sgt Spencer Sikder. Castro let loose many criminals from the jails to reduce their jail population. My wife who is Cuban is very sad to this day that her escape from communist Cuba is compared to the Mariel refugees.
I hope that the Syrian refugees are significantly vetted more than the Mariel boatlift were to an exponential degree.