Daelmis Nodarse Álvarez, a Cuban mother of three girls, is fighting cancer while stranded in Mexico. Her hope is to obtain a humanitarian visa to receive treatment in the United States, where her husband, Joel Pérez, has been living for four years.
The family became trapped in a migratory limbo following the closure of the CBP One program, and now they are facing a tough battle for survival and family reunification.
Daelmis's story is that of thousands of Cubans who, in search of freedom and better living conditions, have embarked on a dangerous journey to the southern border of the United States. In her case, the dream of reuniting with her husband turned into a nightmare after she was recently diagnosed with carcinoma in her arm.
"This is an uncertainty, where you don’t know what can happen tomorrow when you wake up," she said through tears in an interview with Univisión Noticias. The Cuban cannot afford proper treatment in Mexico nor leave her daughters, aged 6, 9, and 14, alone.
A family divided by politics and illness
Joel Pérez, her husband, has been living in Miami since 2021, when he was forced to leave the island for political reasons.
"I haven't hugged them in five years. I see them through a camera, but that's not the same. They need me," declared Pérez, who claimed to have been pursued by State Security due to his ideas opposing the Cuban regime.
Since arriving in the United States, he has worked tirelessly to reunite his family. He managed to save enough money for his wife and daughters to embark on their journey to the Mexican border. They had an appointment scheduled through the CBP One app, but their hopes crumbled after Donald Trump's inauguration.
A desperate plea
Daelmis's situation has become critical. Without access to adequate medical care in Mexico and with the constant fear of deportation to Cuba, her only option is to obtain a humanitarian visa that will allow her to enter the United States, where her husband is committed to covering all medical and personal expenses for the family.
"I'll pay for everything. In the current context, a return to the island or deportation means going to prison. Please help me, help a family that has been mistreated by the dictatorial government that exists in Cuba," implored Joel Pérez.
The case of this Cuban family is a call for compassion and humanitarian action, amidst an increasingly uncertain migratory landscape for those fleeing authoritarianism and seeking a dignified life and freedom in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Daelmis Nodarse Case and the Cuban Migration Crisis
Who is Daelmis Nodarse and why is she stranded in Mexico?
Daelmis Nodarse is a Cuban mother stranded in Mexico with her three daughters due to the closure of the CBP One program, which prevented them from reuniting with her husband in the United States. Daelmis is facing a cancer diagnosis and is seeking a humanitarian visa to receive medical treatment in the U.S. and reunite with her family.
Why can't Daelmis Nodarse return to Cuba?
Daelmis Nodarse faces the risk of imprisonment if deported to Cuba, due to the political history of her husband, who was persecuted by the Cuban regime. The situation in Cuba and the fear of political reprisals make returning an unviable option for her and her family.
What is the CBP One program and why was it closed?
The CBP One program was an application that allowed migrants to schedule appointments at official ports of entry to the U.S. It was shut down following the implementation of new immigration measures by the Donald Trump administration. This closure left many migrants, like Daelmis and her family, in a migratory limbo without clear options to legally move forward to the United States.
What is the current situation of Cuban migrants at the border between Mexico and the United States?
The situation is critical and is characterized by uncertainty and legal limitations. Many Cubans, like Daelmis and her family, are trapped at the border, awaiting a legal resolution following the closure of programs like CBP One. Experts recommend not to cross the border illegally, as they could be detained and quickly deported.
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