A Cuban mother residing in Miami experienced a heartwarming reunion with her baby after weeks apart. She had sent him to Cuba with his father to meet his grandparents, as she was unable to make the journey herself.
Milena Paez Cruz (@milena.paez.cruz) shared the emotional reunion on TikTok, expressing both the pain and joy of those days with the caption: "After so many days without seeing you, love of my life."
The video captures the touching moment when this Cuban mother embraces her son again, set to the backdrop of a moving song.
A Journey Documented on Social Media
The baby's trip had been previously documented by Milena. In June, she posted a video announcing his departure with the phrase "Mom's love went to meet the grandparents," tagging the child's father.
Milena was unable to accompany her son due to her immigration status in the United States, which prevents her from returning to Cuba without jeopardizing her legal standing.
The Immigrant Experience Shared by Many
Cuban women with humanitarian parole, Form I-220A, or pending asylum applications cannot travel back to the island without it being considered evidence that they no longer need international protection.
Milena's situation is not unique. Since 2025, other Cuban mothers have sent their babies to Cuba with fathers or relatives so the grandparents could meet them in person, while these mothers remain in Miami awaiting the resolution of their immigration processes.
In May 2026, a Cuban woman named Yelenys faced a similar situation, expressing her feelings with the poignant phrase: "I couldn't go, but I sent a piece of my heart." In December 2025, Yisileyva sent her child to Cuba with his father while she awaited her residency approval.
Cuban Diaspora's Collective Catharsis
These videos have become a form of collective catharsis within the Cuban community on TikTok, where the hashtag #cubanosporelmundo groups thousands of posts documenting separations, reunions, and the nostalgia of a rapidly growing diaspora over recent years.
Milena's reunion with her baby highlights a reality faced by many Cuban emigrant families: the divide between those who have managed to leave the island and the connections left behind, a direct result of decades of migration driven by Cuba's economic and political crises.
Understanding the Cuban Migration Experience
Why can't Milena return to Cuba?
Milena is unable to travel back to Cuba due to her ongoing immigration process in the United States, which could put her legal status at risk if she returns.
What challenges do Cuban mothers in the U.S. face?
Cuban mothers with pending immigration cases cannot travel back to Cuba without risking their status, leading them to send their children to meet family members they cannot see themselves.
How has social media played a role in these reunions?
Social media platforms like TikTok have provided a space for Cuban emigrants to share their stories, document separations and reunions, and express nostalgia for their homeland.