Roberto Ruiz Torres, a Cuban from Matanzas, has spent nearly three decades surviving on the streets of Miami.
His story, shared on the Facebook page Conducta Dade, showcases the harshest realities of migration: the uprooting, the loneliness, and the constant struggle to survive without a roof over one's head or the support of a close family.
In a video shared by the platform, Roberto, 73, recounts how he arrived in the United States during the Mariel exodus in 1980, at that time just a young man without any relatives to welcome him.
From that moment on, his life was marked by mistakes, poor choices, and a lack of legal opportunities to rebuild his path.
"I did bad things, but I did them, and I paid dearly for it. The saddest part is living on the street, with no doors, no windows, no one to protect you. We get robbed, we have to fight for a little bit of food. We are alive by the grace of God, but we have no life," he confessed.
Roberto asserts that over these 27 years, he has worked whenever possible, either as a fisherman or a painter.
He has also been in temporary shelters, but he is always evicted after just a few days.
"I have never been given the key to an apartment. Like many, I struggle, but without documents it is impossible. Everything is very expensive in this country; people want to help but can't," he lamented.
His narrative is permeated by nostalgia for Cuba and the pain of not having been able to reunite with his family in Matanzas.
She maintains occasional contact with her sisters and nephews thanks to the help of friends, and although she acknowledges that each call is a relief, she simultaneously feels a deep sadness: "They want what's best for me, for me to be well, to know about me."
The harshness of their daily life on the streets is evident in their words: violence, insecurity, hunger, and the constant feeling of being invisible to society.
"At this moment, no one is safe here. They steal from you, they beat you up to take your bicycle. We sleep on the sidewalk, it's the most horrible thing. It's another world, a underworld where there are no laws, only the strongest," he reported.
Despite his bitter experience, Roberto retains an inner pride: he never got involved in drug trafficking or violent crimes. "That's what keeps me alive: I haven't harmed anyone, I haven't dealt poison, I haven't stolen," he stated.
Today, at 73 years old, he describes himself as "dead while alive" and acknowledges that the fate of many in his situation is to die under a bridge or on the sidewalk.
However, it also conveys a message to the new generations: to distance themselves from the false dreams of easy money and to hold on to faith.
"Jesus Christ is the only one who keeps us alive. I have saved lives for many years: in cars, in canals, on the beach, in the sea... because He has placed me there, I have never let Him down. Only God has the answer, men do not." he stated.
In his farewell, the Cuban sent a message filled with love and regret to his family on the Island: "I love you all very much, I have always missed you, I ask for your forgiveness. Knowing that you haven't forgotten about me gives me the strength to keep living."
The testimony of Roberto Ruiz Torres is a heartbreaking portrait of a reality experienced by many migrants in the United States: one of helplessness and exclusion, but also one of resilience and faith as a final refuge.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Experience of Cuban Migrants in the United States
What has life been like for Roberto Ruiz Torres on the streets of Miami?
Roberto Ruiz Torres, a Cuban from Matanzas, has been living on the streets of Miami for 27 years. His life has been marked by dislocation, loneliness, and the constant struggle to survive without a home or the support of close family. Despite working in occasional jobs as a fisherman or painter, the lack of documentation has prevented him from establishing a stable life. His story reflects the harsh reality faced by many migrants in the United States.
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban migrants in the U.S.?
Cuban migrants in the United States face several challenges, including a lack of legal opportunities to regularize their immigration status, the high cost of living, and job insecurity. Many have to work long hours in underpaid jobs and constantly face the risk of deportation. Furthermore, the stringent immigration system and restrictive policies exacerbate their vulnerable and helpless situation.
Why do some Cuban migrants consider the American dream unattainable?
Many Cuban migrants believe that the American dream is unattainable due to the high cost of living, low wages, and lack of stable job opportunities. Often, they face debts and expenses that exceed their income, preventing them from enjoying an adequate quality of life. The testimony of migrants like Roberto Ruiz Torres reveals that the economic and social reality in the U.S. can be very different from the expectations they had when emigrating.
How does the revocation of humanitarian parole affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The revocation of humanitarian parole affects thousands of Cubans who are in the United States under this immigration benefit. These migrants lose their temporary legal status and work permit, making them subject to deportation. The measure has generated outrage and concern within the Cuban community, which sees their families and loved ones facing the risk of separation and deportation.
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