"First the papers, then the luxuries!" A Cuban manicurist living in Miami has sent a strong message to immigrants who spend thousands of dollars on designer handbags and other expensive items while still not having resolved their immigration status in the United States. Her reflection, shared on TikTok, raises a question: Is it worth showing off luxuries when you still don’t have your documents in order?
The Cuban, known on social media as Claudeliña, shared her opinion in a video posted on her TikTok account @claudelia90, where she confessed that she had hesitated before addressing a matter she considers sensitive. "I was very indecisive about discussing this topic because it's a very delicate matter, but don't hate me and take it as advice," she expressed.
According to her explanation, her job as a manicurist allows her to meet numerous women who arrive for their appointments carrying exclusive brand handbags and discussing their properties and acquisitions. However, at the same time, they acknowledge that they are still waiting for the resolution of their asylum applications or have unresolved immigration status.
This situation led her to question the priorities of those who, as she recounts, are willing to spend up to $15,000 on a luxury handbag, but do not allocate part of their resources to seek legal advice for their immigration processes.
"Why don’t you take that fifteen thousand dollars or more [...] why don’t you use that money for your papers?" the Cuban woman asked, making it clear that her intention was not to criticize those who enjoy buying expensive items, but rather to advise them to prioritize their future in the United States.
"Find a good lawyer, pay that money. If you don’t have the money, it’s not for you," he added, clarifying that his message was specifically aimed at those who have the financial means to invest in immigration advice but choose to allocate those funds to other expenses.
And she was even more straightforward in summarizing her advice in one sentence: “Prioritize your little papers and then buy yourself those fifteen-dollar wallets.”
The manicurist also referred to cases of Cuban influencers and artists who, after spending years in the United States, acquiring properties and enjoying a comfortable life, ended up facing immigration processes that jeopardized their stay in the country.
"Some are doing well abroad, while others are struggling in Cuba. I'm not going to name names, those who know, know, but for me, that's a very big foolishness," she stated, without identifying the individuals she was referring to.
His reflection comes at a time when continue to raise concerns among many Cubans. Among the well-known cases is that of the reggaeton artist El Chulo, who was detained by ICE in Miami in January 2026.
There is also the case of the Cuban influencer and entrepreneur Leidys Barrabí, who is facing a deportation order to Ecuador while continuing to try to resolve her legal situation.
Although having financial resources to hire a lawyer does not guarantee obtaining regular immigration status, Claudeliña emphasized the importance of seeking advice and understanding the legal options available before spending large amounts of money on luxury items.
At the end of her video, the Cuban asked her followers to share her words so that the message could reach those who, in her view, need to hear it: "For the neighbor next to you who doesn't have papers and needs to hear this video."
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