A Cuban woman who became a Uruguayan citizen expressed her disappointment and felt marginalized following the Uruguayan government's recent changes to passport formats. These changes removed the "place of birth" field and altered the nationality section. Leidis Aguilera, addressing President Yamandú Orsi directly in a TikTok video shared by Montevideo Portal, questioned, "What do we mean to you and your government?"
Aguilera highlighted that migrants, those not born in Uruguay, now make up nearly 4% of the national population and account for 45% of the growth in the country's formal workforce. She has been living and working legally in Uruguay for several years and felt hurt by what she perceived as a decision that erases their migrant history.
"We never requested the removal of the birthplace from our passports. We fully understand we weren't born in Uruguay, and no document should suggest otherwise. However, Uruguay is also our home," she asserted passionately.
The Background of the Controversy
In April, Uruguay's government introduced a new passport format, which, in the name of "documentary improvement," removed the birthplace and unified the nationality section under the code "URY". This change led to difficulties for thousands of naturalized citizens, including many Cubans, when applying for visas or entering countries like Germany, France, or Japan.
Faced with social and political pressure, the government reversed its decision. Starting August 1, Uruguay reinstated the previous document format and will reprint over 17,000 passports at no charge, prioritizing those with imminent travel plans.
However, for migrants like Leidis Aguilera, the symbolic damage has been done. Her message calls for the acknowledgment of migrants' roles in Uruguayan society and the protection of their full identity rights. "We simply ask to work together to ensure migrants are recognized as a full part of this country, with rights to identity and mobility," she emphasized.
Impact on Uruguayan Politics and Society
The passport crisis has stirred tension within Uruguay's ruling party and drawn significant criticism from the opposition. For many Cubans, who view Uruguay as a haven and an escape from the island's crisis, this incident revisits old wounds regarding recognition and integration.
In a nation praised for being a refuge for migrants, Leidis Aguilera's case humanizes a broader demand: to be acknowledged not just as legal citizens, but as individuals with stories, roots, and rights.
Questions About Passport Changes in Uruguay
Why did Uruguay change its passport format?
The Uruguayan government changed the passport format in an effort to improve documentation, which included removing the place of birth and unifying the nationality section under the code "URY".
What issues did the new passport format cause?
The new format created difficulties for naturalized citizens, particularly in obtaining visas or entering countries like Germany, France, and Japan.
How did the Uruguayan government respond to the backlash?
In response to social and political pressure, the Uruguayan government decided to revert to the previous passport format and offered to reprint over 17,000 passports free of charge.