A Cuban woman residing in the United States recently took to social media to share her travel experience to Cuba, aiming to address concerns and ease the fears many compatriots have about visiting the island and then returning to the U.S. The young woman, known on TikTok as La-Cubana-De-Dallas, revealed that she emigrated to the U.S. in 2023 using the CBP One application.
She detailed that in August 2024, she applied for her permanent residency and received it just two months later, in October. With her status officially settled, she decided to visit Cuba in May 2025 to celebrate Mother's Day with her loved ones, after a long time apart.
"I hesitated to go because of the supposed laws people make up, the fake news, and everything shared on social media. I was scared, but I took the risk because my desire to see my family was overwhelming," she confessed in her video.
Concerns During Her Cuban Visit
During her week-long stay on the island, the apprehension lingered. She confided that her biggest concern was the return trip, particularly how she would be treated at the airport, whether there would be repercussions or restrictions, or if she would be detained in the dreaded "little room."
However, her entry through Miami airport, where she connected to Dallas, Texas, was smooth and uncomplicated. She recounted that customs officers only asked her four basic questions: where she was coming from, how many days she had stayed, the purpose of her trip, and how much money she was carrying.
"They didn't take me to any room, as people say. Everything was perfect," she explained, assuring that she was not subjected to any special questioning or checks beyond the usual procedures.
Addressing Rumors and Misinformation
She also clarifies that, based on her experience, individuals who are briefly detained at customs are typically those who fail to declare items or goods or who need to undergo routine checks like drug tests. Throughout her journey, she heard rumors that starting May 21, Cuban travelers would no longer be allowed to re-enter the U.S. after visiting the island. However, after seeking official information and checking social media, she found no evidence to support that claim.
"I hope this video encourages more people not to worry so much about going to Cuba and returning," she concluded.
This account adds to similar testimonies from other Cuban-Americans who have recently traveled to the island and returned without issues, like one shared by @salonmaite on TikTok, who reported handing over her passport "in less than a second" without facing any problems upon re-entering the U.S.
Contrasting Experiences
Conversely, a young woman named Diva Vargas shared her story of traveling to the island to see her ailing mother. Before boarding the flight, an airport employee, as she recounted, kindly warned her of the risks of traveling to Cuba amid the current migration uncertainty. Nevertheless, she chose to proceed with the trip, driven by family reasons that often outweigh fear. Upon her return to the United States, she was taken to the so-called "little room," a space where immigration officers conduct additional interviews with certain travelers.
"They took me to the famous little room, and they were super nice," she assured, dispelling alarming stories circulating on social media about mistreatment or entry blocks.
Understanding Travel Procedures to Cuba and Back
What are the main concerns for Cuban-Americans traveling back from Cuba?
The primary concerns include potential issues at the airport, such as being detained for additional questioning or facing repercussions due to misinformation or rumors.
Are there any official restrictions on re-entering the U.S. after visiting Cuba?
As of now, there are no official restrictions preventing Cuban-Americans from re-entering the U.S. after visiting Cuba, despite rumors to the contrary.
What typically happens if a traveler is taken to the "little room" at the airport?
Travelers taken to the "little room" are usually subjected to additional interviews or routine checks, but reports suggest that the process is generally amicable and straightforward.