The heart-wrenching story of a Cuban mother in Houston has captured the attention of social media after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in, leaving her without support and alone with their five-year-old son.
Identified as Belén on TikTok, she shared an emotional video explaining that her husband went to his scheduled appointment on December 3, accompanied by a lawyer, yet was taken into ICE custody. "I am alone in this country with my child. I don't work, everything depended on my husband. I have no work permit, I have nothing," she said, her voice trembling.
The lawyer had previously warned them about the possibility of detention due to her husband not having a court date, a situation affecting thousands of migrants with pending cases. "If you see me come out alone, it's because they kept him," he told her before entering. Unfortunately, that was exactly what happened.
Now, Belén is facing life without legal employment, without a driver's license, without income, and with a child who constantly asks about his father. “How do I explain to my child that his dad won't be here with us?” she lamented. “My husband was everything to us; he worked, he provided everything.”
In her videos, she simply asks for support to generate income from home during this crisis. “I'm not asking anyone for anything, just follow me so I can at least try to make something on TikTok and work from here. I'm alone with my child and have nowhere to turn.”
The Cuban Community's Support
Cuban influencer Dairon Cano (@dairon_cano_aguila) spoke with her to help share her story. “It's heartbreaking what's happening to us Cubans,” he said after hearing her story. “Follow this mother who's going through an incredibly tough time; she is not alone.”
Belén stated that several others were also detained the same day at the ICE office in Houston. “Those who were released, thank God, but my husband was not one of them,” she sobbed.
Belén's situation is not unique. Recently, another Cuban woman in Miami, Belixa, reported the unexpected detention of her husband after attending his first court hearing, despite having no criminal record or fines.
Their stories, along with those of many other Cubans seeking asylum, highlight the increasing fear within the community regarding ICE's stricter measures.
Understanding ICE Enforcement in Cuban Communities
Why was Belén's husband detained by ICE?
Belén's husband was detained by ICE during a routine check-in because he did not have an assigned court date, a situation that affects many migrants with pending immigration processes.
How is Belén coping with her husband's detention?
Belén is seeking support on social media to generate income from home, as she is alone with her child without legal work authorization or income.
What has been the response from the Cuban community?
The Cuban community, including influencers like Dairon Cano, has expressed support and amplified Belén's story to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Cuban migrants.