Pedro López, a Cuban-American who experienced quite a scare earlier this week when he was severely questioned at Miami Airport after returning from a trip to Cancún, has made a decision regarding his upcoming journey.
López, who has been a U.S. citizen for many years, believes that it was his numerous tattoos that caught the attention of the Immigration agents.
“I will try to cover my tattoos a little more, wear long-sleeved shirts…”, he said in recent statements to Univision where he provided details of what happened.
“You’re afraid to show them, lest you be mistaken for some gang that’s out there chasing people,” he added, referring to his tattoos.
Regarding what happened, he reiterated the fear that the intense interrogation he underwent caused him.
"They sent for my luggage. From there, they took me to a small room, moved me up to another floor, and asked me if I had been to Syria, if I had traveled to the Middle East..." he recounted.
“I was made to fill out a complete form with names, relatives I have here in the U.S., whether I belong to any communist party or affiliate,” added the Cuban, who was returning from his vacation in Mexico with his wife, who is a resident in the U.S., and his daughter, who is a citizen.
Pedro López assured that he has never had issues with the law and that he never imagined being questioned like this when he returned home, something he had already mentioned in a previous video he uploaded to his profile on TikTok.
"I have never had a problem with the law. In fact, I have two companies in the United States, established for many years", emphasized López, who detailed that the unpleasant moment lasted about 45 minutes.
Be careful, if you don't need to, don't go out, Pedro López had previously warned.
Can CBP act like this?
Definitely yes. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) explains on its website: “unfortunately, CBP officers may inconvenience law-abiding citizens to identify those engaged in illegal activities.”
"Speaking with travelers and carefully examining their documentation are some of the ways we detect travelers acting in bad faith or with incorrect documentation," they warn.
Consulted by Univision, immigration attorney José Guerrero clarified that the American citizen or resident returning to the country may indeed encounter incidents like the one described.
“They can question this person regarding the trip, what the person does, to confirm or clear up whether this person is involved in a crime or not,” said the lawyer, who added that these questions can be asked of both naturalized citizens and permanent residents.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Strengthening of Immigration Controls at Miami Airport
Why was Pedro López detained at Miami Airport?
Pedro López, a Cuban-American who has been a U.S. citizen for 30 years, was detained and subjected to intense questioning at Miami Airport upon his return from Mexico. The reason for his detention may have been the number of tattoos he has, which could have raised suspicions with the immigration authorities.
What measures does Pedro López plan to take for future trips?
To avoid future inconveniences, Pedro López has decided to cover his tattoos more and wear long-sleeved shirts on his upcoming trips. This measure aims to minimize the attention his tattoos might attract during immigration checks.
What recommendations do other Cubans make about traveling from the U.S. to Cuba?
Several Cubans have shared their experiences and recommendations about traveling to Cuba from the U.S. They advise exercising caution and avoiding bringing products from Cuba, as this could lead to issues during immigration checks when returning to the U.S. Some have even suggested not traveling unless absolutely necessary to avoid potential complications.
Is it common for tattoos to raise suspicion during immigration checks?
Although it is not common for tattoos to be a reason for suspicion, they can draw the attention of immigration authorities if associated with gangs or illegal activities. In the case of Pedro López, he believes that his tattoos may have influenced the intense questioning he was subjected to.
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