Lya Noriega is 21 years old, was born in Cuba, and moved to Miami when she was only three. This Tuesday, November 3, she will vote for the first time in the United States, although her political preferences are very different from those of the Republican family she grew up in.
The young woman, who identifies as a Democrat, acknowledges that discussing politics at home often leads to tensions. However, she believes that exercising her right to vote is also a way to honor her parents' sacrifices in emigrating.
According to a report by Sofia Baltodano for FIU Caplin News, published by WLRN on October 15 and retrieved by CBS News Miami, what ultimately motivated her was a satirical ad from 2018 titled "Dear Young People, Don't Vote."
The video, which circulated again on social media before the legislative elections, shows elderly people ironically encouraging the youth not to vote, while downplaying issues such as climate change and armed violence.
Noriega stated that the message made her realize the importance of participating in the decisions of her community.
The Biology student from Miami Dade College shared that her family members sometimes mock her opinions and do not take her seriously. "They just call me 'woke,'" she explained, describing the frustration and loneliness these discussions cause her.
Nevertheless, he acknowledges that his relatives' experiences under the Cuban regime influenced his republican convictions. Although he does not share their ideas, he assures that he understands their fears and does not want to ignore what they went through on the island.
The rejection of immigration raids is one of the few issues they agree on.
This concern is also reflected in the FIU Cuba Poll 2026, which found that 76% of Cuban Americans surveyed in Miami-Dade disapprove of the increase in deportations of Cubans without legal status and without criminal records.
The survey also reflects generational differences: among Cuban Americans under 40, 40% identify as Republican, 34% as independent, and 24% as Democrat.
For Noriega, environmental protection is another priority. She dreams of becoming a marine biologist, a passion that was born during her visits to the beaches of South Florida and boat outings with her father, a fisherman who supplies local restaurants.
In September, he completed an internship at the University of Miami, where he participated in research on coral reefs and fish populations.
Behind that vocation lies an unfulfilled family dream: her father wanted to be a marine biologist when he lived in Cuba, but he never had the chance to pursue that career.
Now, Lya aims to achieve that goal and take advantage of the opportunities that her parents sought when they settled in the United States.
Although her first vote may differ from that of her family, she insists that her decision does not mean rejecting her roots or the sacrifices made by those who brought her to Miami.
"I do this in part for them," he stated. "I remember all their struggles and just want them to feel proud of me."
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