The Cuban user @mihogaractivo, identified as Daiana Díaz, shared a video on TikTok where she showcased the preparations for her first trip to Cuba after more than three years without seeing her family. From Missouri, United States, she described how she packed six suitcases—two with food and four with clothing—to reunite with her parents on the island.
"Here it's almost midnight and with only a few days left before I leave for Cuba, it's my first trip to the island, and you can imagine how nervous I am, and I don't want you to imagine how my pockets are feeling", Daiana began, as she displayed products such as coffee, juices, instant soups, toiletries, vitamins, canned goods, clothes, shoes, and a new television for her mother.
"It's just that since it's my first time, I wanted to bring everything, believe me, everything, and I know everything is needed," she explained. "My family unit in Cuba is quite small, but I want to bring each one a little something, and I know I can't do this every time I go, but this is my first time and I want to indulge myself."
During the video, the creator also spoke about the physical and emotional toll that organizing the trip has taken: "We've been getting home at 10 at night for days, I've had to buy food because I haven't had time to cook, film, in short, this house feels like a madhouse."
She also confessed that anxiety has overwhelmed her: "To be honest, I’m scared of everything right now, I don’t know why I feel this way. I don’t know if I’m the only one, but for over a week now, I’ve had a twitch in one eye, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and the saddest part of all is that I don’t see the days passing by."
She added that her husband cannot accompany her because he has not yet received his residency after more than three years under the I-220A immigration process: "I also have a broken heart because my husband is under I-220A and cannot go at this moment, and he has been waiting for his residency for over three years."
The video sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok. Dozens of users shared messages of encouragement, advice, and similar experiences. “Happy travels, how wonderful that you're going to see your parents, what joy!” wrote one follower. Another commented, “I am so happy for you, blessings, safe travels.”
There were also messages of solidarity among those experiencing similar situations. "How joyful, my friend! I've been here almost 3 years without seeing my loved ones, my husband is also an I-220A," commented one user, to which Daiana replied: "It's very tough." Another person said: "I haven't gone, and when I do, may God help me to be as blessed," to which she responded: "May it be so, my dear."
Several users focused on practical advice. “Make sure to secure the zippers well so that no one can open them, weigh your luggage properly so you don’t have to pay too much.” Another recommended: “Make large bundles and put them in a garbage bag, sealing it with tape or adhesive strips, and place it in your suitcase… making large bundles makes it harder for someone to steal from you.”
An experienced follower advised her: “Hello, carry your television in its box just as it comes from the factory. I've taken 6, and they've all arrived safely. Enjoy your trip and your parents. Healthy advice: forget about malicious people.”
There were also those who reminded her of the emotional difficulty of returning: “We brought 9 suitcases, there were 4 of us, it was crazy but comforting… and be strong because the second goodbye is hard, I arrived with depression,” to which Daiana replied, “My God, and here I am crying over nothing.”
In previous posts, Díaz had already explained that he promised his mother he would return within a year of emigrating, but more than three years have passed without being able to fulfill that promise. He then mentioned that his mother is ill, that he is an only child, and that the wait has become very difficult. He also confessed that his father, who works for a state agricultural company, has gone months without payment due to the closure of farms, and that he is the only support for his parents.
In another video published in September, she recalled her arrival in the United States after crossing the Rio Bravo with her two daughters and the water up to her chest. She made that journey to reunite with her husband, who had arrived a month earlier. “Today we can enjoy all the wonders of this country and being together, which is the most important thing,” she said on that occasion, celebrating her second anniversary in the U.S.
In a previous post, she defended her decision to help her parents in Cuba even though she doesn't have furniture in her home in the United States. "My priority is that I have food and shelter, and my parents in Cuba have food," she stated at that time, in response to criticism from those who admonish her for not focusing first on her well-being in the U.S.
The story of Daiana Díaz has generated empathy due to her sincerity, her commitment to her family, and her ability to candidly show the sacrifices that many Cuban emigrants have to make in order to embrace their loved ones back on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Travel to the Island and Migration Challenges
Why does Daiana Díaz have so many suitcases on her trip to Cuba?
Daiana Díaz brings six suitcases because it is her first trip to Cuba after more than three years without seeing her family. In them, she carries food, clothes, and a new television for her mother, among other items, as a demonstration of her love and support for her parents, who are financially dependent on her.
What is the I-220A migration process and how does it affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The I-220A is a supervision order issued by immigration in the U.S. that affects many Cubans, such as Daiana's husband, preventing them from leaving the country without the risk of not being able to return. This process generates uncertainty and anxiety among migrants, who hope for the possibility of regularizing their legal status and reuniting with their families in Cuba.
How does family separation affect Cubans who have emigrated to the U.S.?
Family separation is a painful experience for many emigrated Cubans, like Daiana Díaz, who expressed her anxiety and fear about the possibility of not being able to fulfill her promise to return to see her sick mother. The distance increases emotional stress and the responsibility of being the breadwinner for their families in Cuba, creating a significant emotional burden.
What advice is given for traveling to Cuba from the U.S.?
Experienced users recommend securely closing luggage to prevent theft and weighing bags carefully to avoid excess baggage fees. Other tips include packing items in sealed garbage bags and carrying fragile objects, like televisions, in their original boxes to ensure they arrive in good condition.
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