A Cuban woman residing in the United States took to TikTok to narrate her recent return journey from Cuba, astonishing her followers by revealing that, for the first time, she wasn't subjected to questioning or taken to the dreaded "little room" at the airport—a common concern among Cuban travelers.
"I just got back from Cuba, and as many of you know, there's always that fear about what they might ask or if they'll take us to the little room. Well, nothing happened; my trip was truly a blessing. I can honestly say no one asked me anything," shared the user known as @migdreysiperez in her video.
She elaborated that the immigration officers only inquired if she was carrying any food. "I didn't have anything with me, just my baby's diaper bag, since I checked my carry-ons. I was traveling alone with my son, and perhaps that was why, but they only asked for my residency and passport, and then opened the door for me," she explained.
The young woman mentioned that this was her third visit to Cuba, and during her previous trips, she had always been taken to a secondary inspection area. "Last year, they took me in with my husband and child, and all the questions were directed at him. But this time, it was the quickest experience I've ever had," she recounted.
"Don't be afraid, always trust in God's blessing, which is most important. Sometimes they try to scare us, but nothing happened to me. I wish all those traveling will have a smooth journey and may God bless you," the Cuban concluded in her testimony, which has garnered hundreds of comments on the social platform.
Her account highlights the varied experiences that Cuban residents in the U.S. encounter when traveling to their homeland and returning, in a climate where many fear interrogation or thorough inspections at the airport.
Common Concerns for Cuban Travelers
Why do Cuban travelers fear airport interrogations?
Many Cuban travelers are concerned about being subjected to intense questioning or being taken to a secondary inspection area, commonly referred to as the "little room," due to past experiences of thorough examinations by immigration officers.
What factors might influence a smooth airport experience?
Factors such as traveling alone, not carrying items that might raise suspicion, or simply the discretion of immigration officers can contribute to a smoother airport experience.