Lietty Piña, a Cuban content creator, recently achieved a significant milestone by obtaining her humanitarian visitor's permit in Mexico. For her, this document represented more than just legalizing her immigration status; it was a gateway to formal employment and overcoming the barriers she faced due to the lack of proper documentation.
However, after sharing her achievement on social media, one comment echoed repeatedly: "Now you have to pay taxes."
In a Facebook video, Lietty responded to those who reminded her of this obligation as if it were an unwelcome consequence of her new status.
"People talk about it like it's something undesirable, like I don't want to pay taxes," she expressed.
For Lietty, fulfilling her tax obligations was one of the primary reasons she sought to regularize her status in Mexico. "I mainly wanted to be legal here to do just that," she explained.
Her next immediate goal is to obtain the Federal Taxpayer Registry (RFC) from Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT), which is essential for many work and tax-related activities in the country. She lamented how the absence of this document had already closed several doors for her.
"I can't even explain how many jobs I've lost because I didn't have an RFC," she shared.
Lietty initially believed that having the Unique Population Registry Code (CURP) would suffice to get her RFC. However, she later realized she needed to complete her immigration regularization first.
"When I first got the CURP, I thought I could get my RFC with that, but I had to wait until I had my humanitarian visitor's permit to start the process," she recounted.
She emphasized that paying taxes was never something she planned to avoid. On the contrary, she left Cuba fully aware that settling and working in Mexico would also mean embracing fiscal responsibilities.
"From the moment I left Cuba, I knew I would have to pay taxes here. I was prepared for it," she noted.
Now, with her immigration document in hand, she is taking the first steps to formalize her status with the SAT.
"I'm ready to do it, and I'm already scheduling my appointment with the SAT to get my RFC and register," she added.
Legal Status and Opportunities in Mexico
The card Lietty obtained, issued by the National Institute of Migration (INM), certifies her regular stay in Mexico as a humanitarian visitor. It's valid for one year and permits employment, along with allowing multiple entries and exits from Mexican territory during its validity.
Securing the card, however, came with a last-minute challenge.
In a YouTube video posted on August 11, Lietty shared how she arrived 30 minutes late to her INM appointment due to two traffic accidents that delayed her journey. She feared she had lost the opportunity to finalize a process she had long awaited.
"I had practically given up on the procedure," she confessed.
Her lawyer advised her to go anyway and explain the situation. Eventually, the immigration authorities allowed her to complete the process.
Lietty was not alone during this pivotal moment. Her mother accompanied her, and both received their cards on the same day.
Upon leaving the INM offices, they celebrated a milestone that represents the end of months—or even years—of uncertainty for many migrants.
"We are legal now. We feel completely free, thank God," she expressed with emotion.
From Crossing Central America to Feeling "Part" of Mexico
Lietty has been sharing her migration journey in Mexico on social media for years. She arrived in the country after a land journey through Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, where she was briefly detained by Guatemalan authorities.
Cuban nationals stand out among those granted migration protection in Mexico. In the first half of 2025, they accounted for 3,284 of the 4,129 Humanitarian Visitor Cards issued, making up nearly 80% of the total, according to official Mexican migration statistics.
For Lietty, obtaining the document symbolizes a sense of security that, as she explained, is hard to grasp for those who have never lived as migrants.
"It's so beautiful, people; it's so beautiful to feel protected. As a migrant, the biggest dream is to legalize your status and feel part of here," she reflected.
After traversing several countries, losing job opportunities due to a lack of documentation, and enduring the uncertainty of an irregular immigration status, Lietty now has another goal: achieving permanent residency in Mexico. For her, paying taxes is not the burden that some online comments suggest, but a natural outcome of what she has long sought: the ability to work, settle, and build a legal life in the country that welcomed her.
Understanding Lietty Piña's Immigration Journey
Why did Lietty Piña seek to regularize her status in Mexico?
Lietty Piña aimed to regularize her status to work legally in Mexico and fulfill her tax obligations, which were crucial for her professional opportunities.
What document did Lietty obtain, and what does it allow her to do?
She obtained a humanitarian visitor's permit from the National Institute of Migration, allowing her to work and travel in and out of Mexico for a year.
How did Lietty's journey to Mexico unfold?
Lietty traveled through Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala to reach Mexico, facing challenges such as temporary detention by Guatemalan authorities.
What is Lietty's next goal after obtaining her visitor's permit?
Her next goal is to secure permanent residency in Mexico, continuing her path to establish a legal and stable life in the country.