A Cuban deported from the United States shared on social media her experience regarding what happens to personal belongings when someone is detained by U.S. immigration authorities (ICE).
In a video posted on her TikTok account (@aleagaastry0), the woman explained that when they are detained, immigration agents confiscate all personal belongings, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, and mobile phones.
"Once detained, they will take everything from you, everything, everything: jewelry, clothes, shoes, phone… all of this will be kept, and on the day you are released, they will return it to you," he recounted.
However, he warned that in some cases, there have been reports of lost personal belongings, so he recommended not attending immigration appointments with valuable items.
"I have seen many cases where things have been lost. It happens, of course. Try not to take expensive jewelry or valuable items," the Cuban advised.
The woman, who was recently deported to Cuba, stated that in her case, all her belongings were returned in good condition, including her passport.
"I, who was deported, when I arrived in Cuba, was handed my passport intact. I had absolutely nothing. I only had the visa with which I went to Nicaragua," she explained.
It was also clarified that during the detention, immigrants do not have access to their phones or any of their personal belongings until they are released.
"If you are in a detention center, they will not give you your phone at any time, nor your clothing or personal belongings, unless you are going to be released," he added.
The testimony of the Cuban woman adds to the numerous stories shared by migrants detained by ICE, who report losses of personal items or delays in the return of documents and belongings at the time of being deported or released.
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