"I don't want to miss out on any more years": Cuban mother wants to return with her two children to Cuba and reunite with the daughter she left six years ago

A Cuban mother in the U.S. plans to return to Cuba to reunite with her daughter after six years of separation, prioritizing family bonds over American economic well-being.

Cuban in the USAPhoto © @yenyyenyyelreal / TikTok

A Cuban mother residing in the United States has shared an emotional testimony on social media, where she explains her decision to return to Cuba after six years apart from her youngest daughter, despite being in the midst of a migration process.

In an extensive video posted on her TikTok account @yenyyenyyelreal, the Cuban woman—who resides in the U.S. with her other two children, U.S. citizens—expressed her deep discomfort with the lifestyle in that country, which she described as a "nightmare American."

"I am not happy, I am crazy, I am going crazy," she confessed. Her main motivation is not to lose any more years beside her daughter, who is currently 10 years old and lives in Cuba. "My daughter's life is worth more than the American dream," she said, in tears.

He also criticized the way many children are raised in the U.S., “locked away with a tablet, without socializing,” and questioned the pace of life that immigrant parents must face, juggling work, bills, and stress.

"Here you have to live to work. It's not healthy to raise children like this," she explained. Although she acknowledges that in Cuba "the situation is terrible" and that there is a dictatorship, she insists that she prefers to live with her daughter than to continue alone bearing the emotional weight of her absence.

The mother stated that she still hopes to gather enough resources to lead a dignified life in Cuba and asked God "to give her time" to fulfill her desire before being detained by immigration, as she is currently undergoing a political asylum process.

"I'm not doing this because Cuba is better; I'm doing it because I don't want to lose more years of my daughter's life," she said. "I still have time to recover part of her childhood, and I refuse to keep waiting."

Her testimony has moved thousands of users on social media, especially other migrant mothers facing similar decisions between family ties and the pursuit of a better economic future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Reunification and Cuban Migration

Why does a Cuban mother want to return to Cuba after living in the U.S.?

The Cuban mother wishes to return to Cuba to reunite with her youngest daughter, whom she left six years ago. Despite the economic and political difficulties in Cuba, she prefers not to lose any more years of her daughter's life and believes that her presence is more valuable than the so-called "American dream."

What are the criticisms of the Cuban mother regarding the lifestyle in the U.S.?

The mother criticizes the lifestyle in the U.S., where she feels people live to work. Furthermore, she questions the way children are raised, often isolated with electronic devices, which affects socialization and family time.

What challenges do Cuban mothers face in reuniting with their children in the U.S.?

Many Cuban mothers face significant immigration obstacles to reunite with their children, especially if they are not U.S. citizens. Although some family reunification claims are approved, current immigration policies hinder the reunification process, causing distress and frustration.

How does the immigration situation affect Cuban families in the U.S.?

The migration situation causes prolonged separations between parents and children, leading to a profound emotional impact on Cuban families. Many individuals carry the weight of the sacrifice of having left their loved ones in search of a better future, facing lengthy and complex migration processes.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.