Leidys Barrabi, a 25-year-old Cuban mother who built a beauty salon in Miami from scratch, revealed this Thursday on Instagram that she received a deportation order, a piece of news she described as unbelievable after four years of sacrifice in the United States.
"I was given a deportation order. I still can't believe this news. I am a 25-year-old Cuban mother who came to this country four years ago, with many dreams and a desire to get ahead," Barrabi said in the video, which garnered over 757,000 views, 49,000 likes, and 3,200 comments in less than 24 hours.
In the clip just over a minute long, the entrepreneur reviewed what is at stake.
"Today, after years of sacrifice, building my business from scratch, creating a successful salon here in Miami, and establishing a stable life for my daughter and my family, I received this news," she expressed.
Despite the uncertainty, Barrabi made it clear that he does not intend to give up: "I still believe that God is in control of my life, and I will continue to fight harder than ever. Because there is something greater than my fears, the desire to move forward and build a better future for my daughter and my family."
Her post sparked a flood of supportive messages. "They gave you the deportation order, but God will grant you victory and permanence. The decision is His, do not be afraid; He is already fighting your battle, trust," wrote a follower.
Several followers urged him to appeal the decision: "Appeal! Don't give up! You're great!" wrote one user. Another offered perspective: "Your brilliance doesn't depend on a country; it depends on you."
What can be done in response to a deportation order?
The case of Barrabi occurs at a time when Miami has become one of the main centers for immigration arrests in the country, with an increase of 463% in the detention of Cubans between late 2024 and early 2026.
A deportation order is not necessarily final. The immigrant has the right to present their case before the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days, although the Department of Justice proposed in February 2026 to reduce this to 10 days.
It is essential to know that filing an appeal does not automatically halt deportation. A motion for a stay of deportation must also be requested.
Florida also offers immigrants in federal custody the option to self-deport with a free airline ticket as an alternative to prolonged detention.
The situation for Cubans is particularly complex. There are more than 42,000 active deportation orders confirmed in the United States, and Cuba refuses to accept individuals with criminal records or those who have been outside the country since before 2017, which often results in deportations to third countries such as Mexico.
In the first five months of 2026, nearly 612 Cubans were deported from the United States in 18 different operations, according to data from the migration tracking dossier.
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