Cuban Migrant's Harrowing Journey: From Cuba to Mexico and Finally Texas, Facing Extortion, Jail, and an Ankle Monitor

Yudel Fernández Peralta, a Cuban national, has shared his harrowing story of a perilous journey by sea from Cuba to Mexico, eventually crossing into the United States. His ordeal included a week adrift on a raft until reaching the shores of Cancun, episodes of extortion in Mexico, and a month-long detention in Texas before his release on December 31, 2024, with an electronic ankle monitor.

"The hardest part is not knowing when I'll be able to hug my children and wife who are still in Cuba," the migrant expressed.

Seven Days at Sea to Cancun

Fernández recounted his journey in an interview with the YouTube channel Newsreporter. He set out with 14 others on a raft from Cuba. "It was seven days at sea. When we saw the lights of Cancun, we finally felt some relief," he stated. However, their arrival in Mexico marked the beginning of new challenges.

The group was subjected to extortion by Mexican officials, including members of the National Guard. "They took everything from us, our phones, our money... All they wanted was money," he remarked.

In Monterrey, smugglers demanded $1,200 per person to bring them to the Rio Grande, a crucial crossing point to the United States.

Crossing at Piedras Negras and Imprisonment in Texas

They eventually crossed the border at Piedras Negras, but Fernández was arrested in Texas on charges of trespassing. He was detained for 30 days in an immigration facility before being released with an ankle monitor.

The migrant noted that the border is overwhelmed with individuals attempting to cross before Donald Trump takes office this January. "There's a lot of traffic at the border," he commented.

This experience highlights the numerous dangers Cuban migrants face in their quest for a better future. The path is fraught with risks, corruption, and a system that sometimes criminalizes them for seeking safety and the dream of transforming their lives.