Cuban Musician in the U.S. Faces Deportation After Eight Years Away from His Children: Was It Worth It?

A Cuban musician, known on TikTok as @elemy90, has stirred emotions with his heartfelt account following a pivotal immigration court appearance in the United States. Here, he learned of a deportation order and was informed that his case would be moved to Orlando, Florida. The video, which has attracted over 2,200 comments, portrays a man grappling with vulnerability and limited resources, questioning if the sacrifices made for his children were worthwhile.

“I've been away from Cuba for eight years, spending nearly four in Peru and another four here. I left my kids when they were just a year and a half old. Now, they're about to turn ten. Sometimes, I agonize over whether it was worth it,” the visibly distressed musician expressed. “I don't even have a work permit. My life is in limbo right now,” he added.

Challenges Faced by Cuban Migrants

His situation highlights the precariousness experienced by thousands of Cuban migrants in the U.S., especially those who entered via the border and are classified under I-220A, a conditional admission that does not guarantee residency, work authorization, or legal stability.

During his court session, the musician anticipated a distant court date, similar to other migrants he had heard during the same Zoom session. However, the judge informed him of an existing deportation order. Yet, the documents provided did not explicitly state this order, only mentioning the case transfer to another immigration court.

A Community's Support and Personal Principles

Following the video going viral, numerous users offered financial aid, with some even requesting a means to send him money. Despite his precarious situation, being unemployed for months, the musician publicly declined these donations, reasoning that it wouldn't be fair to other Cubans and Latinos in similar but less visible circumstances.

In a follow-up video, after thanking those who sent supportive messages, he stated, “I know help shouldn't be turned away, but I'd feel wrong accepting something others, possibly in worse situations, can't access. I've helped when others needed it, but you can't play with the people's money.” He also clarified that his musical career, although receiving some support, does not provide income, and his current helper acts as an informal patron, not under any contract. “I don't have a record label. I don't want it to seem like I'm using the help to film a music video. It wouldn't be fair,” he explained.

The Struggle to Remain Resilient

“I went alone. It's very difficult to understand what you're being told without knowing how to interpret it. Words weigh heavier when you're alone,” he shared. While he reads all comments, he admits lacking the energy to respond to each one. He plans to host a live session soon to connect with his followers, whom he considers crucial to his journey.

“I'm eternally grateful. I just wanted to explain why sometimes one loses strength. It's not easy to stay strong when you feel everything you've worked for is crumbling,” he concluded. As he awaits official notification about his next hearing in Orlando, the musician remains in a forced pause from his artistic career and daily battles, in a land that once promised opportunities but now seems to confront him with solitude, uncertainty, and judicial silence.