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Cuban Woman with I-220A Speaks Out: "I'm Never Returning to That Dictatorship"

Saturday, June 21, 2025 by Henry Cruz

A Cuban woman known on TikTok as @layalorditadanita has touched the hearts of thousands with her heartfelt and powerful testimony, declaring her firm decision not to return to Cuba. In her video, she bravely shares the reasons she left her homeland and the sacrifices she has made to build a new life of freedom. "I'm never returning to that dictatorship," she states firmly.

She has been in the United States for three years under the I-220A immigration status, still awaiting a final resolution of her legal situation. Despite the uncertainties, her determination remains clear: to obtain residency so she can reunite with her children. "They're out of Cuba, but not with me yet. All I want is my residency to embrace them, have them close, and live in peace," she confesses. Her words echo the pain of many migrant mothers who have had to separate from their children in search of a more dignified future.

The Struggles of an Entrepreneur in Cuba

Before embarking on her journey, she ran a small business in Cuba that supported her, but it was constantly targeted by authorities. "They seized my merchandise, the police took it and shared it among themselves. They don't let you live, they don't let you grow. They even came to my house. You try to progress, and they crush you," she recounts.

The migrant also recalls the heartbreaking decision to leave her children with her mother because her husband lacked the resources to bring them all at once. "I couldn’t bring them with me. I would have loved to be with them from the start, but it wasn't possible," she explains. Despite the distance, she never wavered in her goal to get them out of Cuba and provide them with a better life. Today, although they are not yet together physically, she feels relieved that they are no longer under the control of the Cuban regime.

Fears for Her Children’s Future

One of her greatest fears was that her 10-year-old son would be forced into mandatory military service on the Island. "That was my biggest fear. My daughter is 14, and over there, girls her age are already smoking and living a bad life because there's nothing else to do. I saved them from that, thank God. They're free," she expresses passionately. Her story reflects the concerns of many Cuban families seeking to protect their children from the dangers of growing up in a hostile environment without future prospects.

A Message to Critics

Throughout the video, she also sends a clear message to those who criticize migrants for not returning to Cuba or for leaving their children behind. "Everyone comes here with a purpose. Some renovate houses, some fight for their family. Don't meddle in others' lives. No one knows what we've been through, nor the sacrifices we make," she states. She stands up for mothers who have had to make tough choices in extreme conditions and applauds those who managed to make the journey with their children: "Kudos to them, but not all of us had that possibility."

Surviving the Journey

In her final words, she recounts the harsh experience of her journey: "I made a bad, cheap trip. I almost drowned in the Rio Grande. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't do it with my kids. This has been incredibly hard, but it's worth it. I refuse to go back. I came to build my life in a country of freedoms, where you don't have to think as they want."

Her testimony is a poignant reflection of the human drama faced by thousands of Cubans who risk everything to escape repression, hoping to live freely and once again embrace their loved ones.

Understanding the Cuban Migration Struggle

What is I-220A immigration status?

I-220A is a form of immigration status that allows certain individuals to remain in the United States temporarily while they await a final decision on their immigration case.

Why did the woman decide to leave Cuba?

She left Cuba due to the oppressive regime, constant harassment from authorities, and the desire to provide a better future for her children.

What are the challenges faced by Cuban migrants in the U.S.?

Cuban migrants often face legal uncertainties, separation from family, and the struggle to adapt to a new culture while working to achieve residency and reunite with loved ones.

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