Cuban Man Details His Self-Deportation Journey from the U.S. Back to the Island

A Cuban man known as @yandrydz recently shared a TikTok video where he answers questions from his followers about his self-deportation process from the United States. In his detailed account, he outlines the steps he took to voluntarily return to Cuba.

"Many people are asking about my self-deportation process. In my situation, I completed the CBP Home application but never received a call, so I bought a ticket on my own and left," he recounted.

Upon arriving at the airport, he informed authorities of his decision: "On the day of the flight, they asked for my passport and residency, to which I replied that I was opting for voluntary departure and would self-deport." He explained that the authorities then sent his data to Cuba for approval, as airline requirements currently necessitate Cuba's acceptance before flying.

This process took several hours: "Cuba took about 3 to 4 hours to respond, causing me to miss my flight. They then rescheduled my flight for the next day." He received a call confirming his acceptance later: "After three or four hours, they informed me that Cuba had accepted me, and I could fly the next day as planned."

The young man clarified that travelers can bring the allowed luggage and must complete the DViajeros digital entry requirement: "Search 'DViajeros Cuba' on Google, fill in your information to receive a QR code, which you scan upon arrival in Cuba."

He also noted that he faced no questioning upon reaching the island: "They didn't ask me anything, just welcomed me to Cuba, and that was it."

The video quickly went viral, sparking debate online. Some praised his "courage" and admired his decision to return, while others criticized him for giving up U.S. job opportunities or doubted the ease of the process he described.

"This country isn't for the weak," one user commented in support, while another noted, "If you have the right mindset, you can save money and start your business, but giving up won't get you anywhere." Skeptics added, "Now you'll face hardships without power in Cuba," or "once the money runs out, he'll think differently."

The creator himself responded, saying his experience isn't universal: "This was my exact experience, but nothing is generalized; others have different experiences."

His story comes shortly after sharing another video where he stated he has no plans to return to the U.S., defending his lifestyle in Cuba by claiming, "There is no freedom of expression in Cuba, but in the United States, there's no freedom of time." He also showed two cars, stating, "I left the U.S. and I'm not going back."

The situation has fueled discussions about a recent trend on social media where Cubans claim to have voluntarily returned to the island, seeking tranquility over the fast-paced work life in the U.S. However, opinions remain divided. While some admire their personal determination, others highlight Cuba's economic challenges and question the sustainability of such decisions amidst inflation, power outages, and scarcity.

This Wednesday, the U.S. government unveiled a new self-deportation program offering financial incentives of up to $2,600. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over two million people have reportedly enrolled since 2025, though independent analysts question these figures and caution about the lack of transparency in official data.