Lauren, a 15-year-old teenager, remains the sole member of her family in Cuba after being denied a family visa at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
As reported by Telemundo 51, despite the family's long wait to reunite in Miami, Lauren's departure did not happen as planned.
The denial came in August, following a period when the family anticipated a straightforward process. After the interview, they felt as if "all their dreams had vanished," they told Telemundo.
The rejection was based on a June 4 announcement that imposed a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Cuba, citing the need to protect the U.S. from terrorists.
"The travel ban is meant for criminals and terrorists, but children are neither," the family lamented, having received no specific explanation for why the young girl was subject to these restrictions.
At grandmother Eva's home in Miami, Lauren's room remains ready: stuffed animals, photographs, and a miniature Statue of Liberty await the day of their reunion.
Her mother, Leymi Reyes Figueredo, is torn between Cuba and Miami, frequently traveling back to care for her daughter while maintaining her U.S. residency.
"It was a life's dream shattered in a single day," the family said about the consular interview. Lauren, who they emphasize is "still just a child," expresses her sadness over being separated from her loved ones: "I always want everyone, my family, and I can't have it."
The situation worsened when both of Lauren's grandparents were diagnosed with cancer almost simultaneously during this process.
"There was only a month between her surgery and mine," they shared, acknowledging their devastation between Havana and Miami, with no answers as to why the teenager couldn't travel. "We don't know what to do anymore," they confessed.
The grandmother told Telemundo she has done everything possible to bring her granddaughter over—"a large knot forms in my throat"—but the ban keeps Lauren alone in Cuba, awaiting a resolution that might reunite the family.
Years Apart
In 2022, Leymi Reyes Figueredo and her husband began their journey to the United States, claimed by the man's son, an American citizen.
As part of the immigration process, Lauren was temporarily left in Cuba with her maternal grandparents, with plans to reunite them later through an F2A visa.
This visa category is intended for unmarried children under 21 of legal permanent residents.
However, the situation took a sudden turn in June 2025, when a presidential proclamation instigated by former President Donald Trump took effect.
This directive, known as the "travel ban," limits entry into the U.S. for citizens from several nations, including Cuba, under the guise of "national security."
Understanding the Impact of Travel Restrictions on Cuban Families
What is the reason behind Lauren being denied a visa?
Lauren was denied a visa due to a travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Cuba, aimed at protecting the U.S. from potential threats. However, her family argues that this should not apply to children.
What are the challenges Lauren's family is facing?
Lauren's family is struggling with emotional distress due to their separation, compounded by the grandparents' health issues, and the bureaucratic hurdles preventing Lauren from joining them in the U.S.
What is the F2A visa category?
The F2A visa category is designed for unmarried children under 21 of legal permanent residents in the U.S., allowing them to join their parents.