A Cuban resident in Miami has sparked a heated debate on social media after sharing a testimony on TikTok, where she contrasts her migration experience with that of some of the recently arrived Cubans in the United States.
In a video posted by @user680074416135, the woman passionately defends the sacrifice of the "historical exile" and denounces what she sees as a lack of respect and commitment from certain new migrants.
"I have lived in the United States for 61 years. I came in 1964 as a Cuban refugee. At that time, we couldn't enter wet or through the border. We came by plane, with documents, because we were recognized as political exiles," he recalled.
"This group is referred to as the historical exile," he said, in reference to the Cubans who emigrated between the 1960s and 1980s, fleeing Fidel Castro's regime.
Energetic and unfiltered, the lady expressed her outrage at what she describes as the “nonsense” that some people say on social media about Cubans in the United States, calling them lazy and opportunistic for the benefits they receive upon arriving in the country.
"Many of those who are criticizing now are also Cubans, but ones who came dressed in olive green, militiamen, fidelistas. And now they are here saying that Cubans don't work," the lady said with evident annoyance.
"Cubans who arrived after 2000 will not work, because those of us who came in the 60s, 70s, and 80s poured our hearts into our work," he added.
He detailed that when he arrived, Miami was just an undeveloped area. “This was a wilderness. There was no assistance here. The only help was working in factories with the Jews, twelve or fourteen hours a day, and then going on to a second job,” he recounted.
"We all had two jobs without knowing good English. I was 17 years old and I was breaking my back in the cold," he said. He explained that many migrants, in order to get ahead, could not stay in the warm climate of Florida; they had to venture into other states where there were job opportunities, and it wasn't in comfortable offices.
This Cuban lived in California for 16 years, where she helped Mexican immigrants by hiding them in her home to prevent them from being detained by immigration authorities. “Because Cubans do not take joy in anyone's suffering,” she said.
"Now that they are deporting people without any prior records, it hurts us. Because we know what it is to start from scratch," she added. With a critical tone, she acknowledged that many of the newcomers "do not want to work, and that is something Fidel Castro taught them."
He questioned why young people complain and seek help from the government when they haven't experienced genuinely tough times in this country. "They haven't lived in the north, they haven't felt the cold. We were 'penguins,' we ventured into the snow to get ahead."
The woman emphasized that not all new migrants arrive with a negative attitude, acknowledging that some "come to study and to work." However, she harshly criticized those who, in her opinion, take advantage of government assistance without contributing: "They spend a check they didn’t earn and then go on vacation to Cuba."
Finally, he recalled the pioneers of entrepreneurship in Miami, such as the founders of furniture stores like El Dorado and Navarro. "These people arrived on boats, set up a small store, worked in the snow, and then built their business," he stated.
"Miami was not given to us. We made it, with effort, from the swamp." His testimony is a passionate defense of the legacy of the historical Cuban exile and a call for responsibility and respect for those who paved the way when there were no resources, only sacrifice in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Emigration and the Situation in the United States
What is the "historical exile" of Cubans in the United States?
The "historical exile" of Cubans refers to those who emigrated to the United States between the 1960s and 1980s, fleeing Fidel Castro's regime. These individuals faced significant challenges and worked diligently to establish themselves in a new country, often without speaking English and without the assistance that some receive today.
Is it true that some Cubans do not want to work in the United States?
According to the testimony of a Cuban in Miami, some newly arrived Cubans show a lack of willingness to work, preferring to rely on government assistance. However, this is a generalization and does not represent all Cuban migrants, many of whom work hard to get ahead.
How does the current situation of Cuban migrants compare to that of historical exiles?
The current situation of Cuban migrants differs in that newcomers often have access to more government assistance, whereas historical exiles did not receive such benefits and had to face more challenging conditions to settle in the United States.
What challenges do undocumented Cubans face in the United States?
Undocumented Cubans face significant challenges, such as a lack of access to basic services, difficulties in finding formal employment, and living in precarious conditions, as seen in the case of those who survive in makeshift camps in Miami.
Why are some Cubans criticized for returning to Cuba after obtaining political asylum?
It is criticized that these Cubans returning to Cuba after obtaining political asylum in the U.S. contradicts the principle of refuge, which is based on political persecution and risk in the country of origin. This behavior has sparked debates about the use of asylum status and commitment to its foundations.
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