An immigrant identified as Sandy Love lived for nine years in Canada without legal status and was on the verge of being deported, until an unexpected twist changed her fate: the Cuban government never responded to Canadian authorities who were trying to coordinate her deportation.
Sandy shared her story in a Facebook reel, becoming a viral testimony within the Latin community in Canada and the United States.
"My lawyer told me, they're going to deport you. And that's what happened. My life changed in an instant," he recounts at the beginning of the video.
Three months after applying for a new immigration status, he received the official deportation letter. "When I received it, I collapsed and cried a lot, but I had a lot of faith," he recounts.
On the day of the appointment with immigration authorities, Sandy left her daughters at school for fear that they would be detained along with her. Her partner and family did not accompany her. Only a friend was present.
During the appointment, the officer asked her what would happen if she were sent back to Cuba. Her response was just one word: “Nothing.” She herself admits that it might not have been the most strategic answer, but she acknowledges that she was “so mentally exhausted that I didn't care if they took me.”
The official explained to him that he needed to process a Cuban passport to proceed with the deportation, which costs about 320 Canadian dollars in Canada. Sandy said he didn't have money even to eat, and the officer responded that he would take care of it.
In the second meeting came the twist that changed everything. The officer informed him, "We have tried to contact Cuba, but they never answered."
Without the cooperation of the Cuban regime to confirm the identity of the deportee and validate the travel documents, the expulsion was put on hold.
To carry out a deportation to Cuba, Canadian authorities need Havana to respond and cooperate in the process.
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has documented that the Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa did not respond within the deadline to questions posed by that body in December 2024.
Sandy described that moment with relief and humor: "Oh my God, for the first time Cuba is doing something good for me."
Finally, her application for permanent residency was approved. "I tried to do everything right, I kept fighting, and in the end, my residency was approved," she states in the video.
The case is not isolated. The lack of Cuban consular cooperation is a documented pattern that can hinder deportations from both Canada and the United States.
In 2024, Canada deported over 16,000 people, an 11% increase compared to the previous year, and processed 356 asylum requests from Cuban citizens, approving 275. At least 1,281 cases remained pending by the end of that year.
Sandy's story also illustrates the economic barriers faced by undocumented immigrants: a Cuban passport in Canada costs 320 Canadian dollars, an amount that is beyond reach for someone who can barely cover rent and food.
There is also a travel and transit document available for 128 Canadian dollars for repatriation cases, according to information from the Embassy of Cuba in that country.
Sandy closed her story with a message for those going through similar situations: "Don’t lose hope in obtaining your documents, but also don’t forget about your life, your dreams, which are much bigger than just one country. You deserve to live in peace too."
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