A thousand ideas could cross the mind of a little girl who just woke up without her father, and also through the mind of a mother who is shattered inside; however, missing Davy Alemán Oropesa can only be expressed better with a single word spoken by the little one: “daddy.”
This Monday, Yisel Miguel Sarduy shared a new video on social media that has touched the hearts of hundreds of Cubans both on the island and abroad.
The image shows his little daughter, just waking up, saying the word "daddy" as she tries to adjust to her first dawn without him.
Regarding the video, an embedded text summarizes the moment: “First day without dad at home and her first reaction upon waking up.” Accompanying the post, the mother wrote: “God willing, my husband can return to our little girl.”
The Cuban family is experiencing a separation marked by the self-deportation of Davy Alemán Oropesa, who departed this Sunday from Miami International Airport heading to Cuba, after receiving a notice from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The case, reported by several television stations in Florida, has reflected the distress of this Cuban family in recent months, especially as it involves a young girl who underwent heart surgery in the past and will likely require a transplant in the future.
Davy said farewell in tears to his wife and two daughters, one of whom is only two years old and waiting for a heart transplant.
His decision to leave the country voluntarily —a technical measure known as self-deportation— was made to avoid being detained indefinitely and deported from an ICE facility.
The Cuban had been in the United States for seven years, having arrived with a suitcase full of dreams. Today, those dreams lay shattered at the threshold of a TSA security checkpoint.
The separation has left a visible mark on their family unit. His wife, a U.S. citizen, filed a reunification request with the Immigration and Citizenship Service (USCIS), but as that process unfolds, uncertainty grows.
The mother had to leave her job to care for her daughter, who underwent open-heart surgery and now needs a transplant as the only alternative for survival.
"I can practically see myself living on the street, because how can I take care of the girl and pay the rent?" Yisel confessed through tears in previous statements.
The family is now facing a greater challenge: to support themselves emotionally and financially while awaiting a possible migration pardon that would allow Davy to return and reunite with his daughter.
The girl's gesture, barely a whisper upon waking, powerfully exposes the human drama behind the figures and bureaucratic decisions.
As in so many other recent cases of Cuban migrants in the United States, the pressure exerted by ICE has led more than one to choose voluntary departure to avoid worse scenarios.
But few cases reflect so starkly the emotional and familial dimension of forced exile as this one.
For now, there is a video left, a suppressed cry, and one word that says it all: "Daddy."
Not even 24 hours had passed since Davy Alemán boarded his flight back to Cuba when messages of support started coming in for his family.
The journalist Javier Díaz, from Noticias Univisión, shared on one of those messages, sent by a Cuban family who recently arrived in the U.S., offering housing and food to Davy's wife and daughter.
"Cubans are truly very supportive, and when they come together, they can accomplish great things," Díaz wrote, visibly moved.
Frequently Asked Questions about Davy Alemán Oropesa's Self-Deportation and Its Family Impact
Why did Davy Alemán Oropesa decide to self-deport from the United States?
Davy Alemán Oropesa decided to self-deport to avoid prolonged detention and forced deportation by ICE. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having a daughter with urgent medical needs, he faced a removal order from the country. He opted for voluntary departure to prevent being indefinitely detained in an ICE facility, an experience he had already gone through before.
What is the medical situation of Davy Alemán Oropesa's daughter?
The daughter of Davy Alemán Oropesa, a two-year-old girl, has undergone several open-heart surgeries and needs a heart transplant as the only alternative for her survival. Her delicate medical condition has been a central factor in the family's distress over the forced separation.
What impact does the separation have on Davy Alemán's family?
The separation has left the family in a critical emotional and financial situation. The mother, Yisel Miguel Sarduy, has had to leave her job to care for her sick daughter, which has created an economic crisis in the household. Moreover, the absence of the father has increased the emotional burden and stress for the entire family.
What legal actions has Davy Alemán's family taken for his reunification?
Davy Alemán's wife, a U.S. citizen, has submitted a family reunification application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, this process is complicated and fraught with uncertainties, causing ongoing distress as they await a favorable resolution.
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