A Cuban woman living in the United States has touched the hearts of many TikTok users with her poignant story of perseverance, migration, and hope, as she documents the transformation of a mobile home into her future residence. Under the username @my.hope2023, she shared the renovation journey: stripped floors, scattered tools and cables, unfinished walls, and newly constructed wooden stairs. Yet, it was her heartfelt message that truly resonated with viewers.
In her post, she expressed, "You don't always start from the top... sometimes you begin from the ground, but with a heart full of dreams." She emphasized that despite the current chaos, she believes that when things are done with love, dedication, and hard work, the outcome is always rewarding. "Perhaps it's not the time for grand beginnings, but it's certainly time to pour our hearts into what we have," she declared.
The video shows her clad in work attire alongside a young girl, as she cleans, measures, and unloads materials. "Step by step, I'm building my future and my family's because that's why I came to this country: to fight tirelessly and never give up," she stated passionately. She also remarked, "Thank heavens, and like true Cubans, we know how to turn little into much, make the old new, and transform adversity into opportunity."
Identifying herself as a migrant without legal status in the U.S., she shared, "Am I an immigrant? Yes. Do I still lack papers? Yes, I do. But with my eyes set on the future, I continue building my story, step by step, with faith, love, and purpose." For her, "A dream isn't measured by papers, but by the strength of those daring enough to make it happen," making it clear that her journey is only just beginning.
In the comments, users offered their support with messages like "Keep going, with God you can do anything" and "May God bless you and keep moving forward," accompanied by heart emojis, praying hands, and smiling faces.
This video follows a previous post by the same user, where she detailed her experience with the immigration process known as I-220A, which involves being under immigration supervision without legal status. She stated, "Going through immigration court didn't break me, having yearly appointments hasn't broken me, and it won't break me." In that message, she spoke of dreaming of the day she'd receive the envelope saying "Welcome to the USA" and the satisfaction of telling herself, "Thank you for not giving up, thank you for working and studying tirelessly."
The story of @my.hope2023 serves as a testament to the challenges many immigrants face in the United States, and simultaneously, as an inspiring narrative of faith, effort, and the dignity with which they choose to confront those challenges.
Understanding the I-220A Immigration Process
What is the I-220A immigration process?
The I-220A process involves being under immigration supervision without having a legal status in the United States. It means an individual must comply with certain conditions while their status is being resolved.
How does I-220A affect immigrants?
Immigrants under I-220A may face challenges such as attending regular immigration appointments, living with uncertainty regarding their legal status, and navigating daily life without full legal rights.
Can individuals with I-220A status work legally in the U.S.?
Typically, those under I-220A do not have authorization to work legally. They must wait for their immigration status to be adjusted to gain work eligibility.