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Young Cuban Girl's Heartfelt Plea to Trump: "I Want to Grow Up in That Beautiful Country"

Friday, June 27, 2025 by Emily Vargas

At just 10 years old, Sofia lives with her grandmother in Havana and dreams daily of reuniting with her mother in Miami. However, this dream has turned into a nightmare following a travel ban implemented by President Donald Trump. "President Trump, I kindly ask you to reconsider family reunification for residents," Sofia implores in a video shared on social media, her trembling voice touching the hearts of many both on and off the island.

Her mother, Lia Llanes, emigrated to the United States three years ago, seeking a better future for both of them. After years of sacrifices, she managed to become a legal resident and secured a reunification visa approval for her daughter. Sofia was gearing up for her final interview at the embassy, even enthusiastically learning English, when everything came crashing down.

Repercussions of the New Travel Ban

On June 5, Trump signed a proclamation banning entry to the U.S. for citizens from several countries, including Cuba, citing national security concerns. This decision excludes individuals like Lia, who are permanent residents rather than U.S. citizens, from the reunification process. "It was a heavy blow. She was already approved and preparing..." lamented Llanes in an interview with CBS News. "Sofia was so devastated that she didn't speak to anyone for two days."

"These restrictions are dismantling entire processes and leaving children like Sofia heartbroken," warns Saman Movaghassi Gonzales, an immigration attorney in Florida. "It's incredibly difficult to explain to them that a political shift means they can no longer see their parents."

A Lengthy Path to Citizenship

Lia, like many other Cuban mothers, clings to hope. She aims to obtain citizenship as soon as possible, though she knows this journey could take at least two more years. For Sofia, this means more nights without her mother, more birthdays spent apart, and more unanswered questions.

Sofia's story is a reflection of thousands of Cuban families divided by political decisions that overlook the importance of hugs and tears. It serves as a reminder that behind every immigration policy lie real faces, genuine stories, and hearts that continue to wait.

The Broader Impact on Cuban Families

The new regulations have thrown thousands of Cubans with ongoing legal processes into an immigration limbo. Take Marcos, for instance, who waited nine years to reunite with his father in the U.S. through an F2B visa. Just as he was called for an interview at the embassy, Trump's proclamation halted his process. Although his visa was approved, its issuance was frozen. "Nine years of his life have been rendered meaningless," a friend of the young man told El País.

On TikTok, a Cuban mother went viral as she tearfully shared that she cannot claim her children until she becomes a U.S. citizen. "Today, the worst news of my life... all because of our great president," she wrote alongside the video that moved thousands.

Furthermore, a Cuban applicant publicly denounced that after years of waiting, his visa was denied by the U.S. Embassy in Havana under the controversial Section 212(f) of the Immigration Law. "They have taken away our dream of being together with our families," he lamented on social media.

Impact of U.S. Travel Ban on Cuban Families

What prompted Sofia to send a message to President Trump?

Sofia sent a message to President Trump because a new travel ban prevented her from reuniting with her mother in the U.S., leaving her devastated and separated from her family.

How has the travel ban affected Cuban families?

The travel ban has disrupted the reunification process for many Cuban families, leaving them in a state of limbo and unable to join their loved ones in the United States.

What are Lia Llanes's plans to overcome the situation?

Lia Llanes intends to pursue U.S. citizenship as quickly as possible, despite knowing it could take at least two more years, in hopes of eventually reuniting with her daughter Sofia.

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