A Cuban woman residing in the United States took to TikTok to share her seamless experience upon arriving at a U.S. airport following a short trip to Cuba for her grandmother's funeral. Her story counters the anxiety some migrants feel about potential repercussions upon returning from the island.
In the video, posted by beauty salon user @salonmaite, the woman is seen still at the airport, calmly describing her entry process into the United States. "I'm at the airport, heading out, and I haven't seen anyone being held up. I handed over my passport and in less than a second, I was out," she recounted.
She critically remarked, "It seems like they're just trying to scare people," addressing the circulating rumors online about alleged restrictions or interrogations upon returning from Cuba. The woman's trip was prompted by her grandmother's passing, and she spent only two days on the island. According to her, the return flight to the U.S. was packed, whereas the departure flight to Cuba was nearly empty.
In response to a follower's question in the video comments about her length of stay in the United States, she clarified, "I'm a resident, I've been in the U.S. for two and a half years."
Her account aligns with other similar experiences from Cubans who have recently traveled to the island and returned without issues, amidst a climate of uncertainty and misinformation affecting parts of the Cuban community abroad.
Understanding the Cuban Travel Experience
Are there any known restrictions for Cuban residents returning to the U.S.?
Recent testimonies, such as the one shared by the Cuban woman on TikTok, suggest that there are no additional restrictions or detentions for Cuban residents returning to the U.S. after visiting Cuba.
How long was the Cuban woman in Cuba for her trip?
The woman traveled to Cuba for just two days to attend her grandmother's funeral.
What does the woman's experience suggest about the current climate for Cuban travelers?
Her experience, along with others, indicates that fears of detentions or additional questioning for Cuban travelers returning to the U.S. might be exaggerated or unfounded.