For nearly a decade, Sandy Love, a Cuban immigrant, lived in Canada without proper documentation and faced imminent deportation. However, an unexpected twist altered her fate: the Cuban government never responded to Canadian authorities who were attempting to arrange her removal.
Sandy's story gained widespread attention after she shared it in a Facebook reel, becoming a viral sensation in the Latino communities across Canada and the United States.
"My lawyer told me, 'You're going to be deported.' And that's how it started. My life changed in an instant," she recounts at the beginning of the video.
Three months after she applied for a new immigration status, Sandy received an official deportation letter. "When I got it, I broke down and cried a lot, but I held onto hope," she explains.
On her appointment day with immigration officials, Sandy, fearing arrest, left her daughters at school. Her partner and family were absent; only a friend accompanied her.
During the meeting, an official inquired what would happen if she returned to Cuba. Her reply was a single word: "Nothing." She admits it might not have been the most strategic answer, but confesses, "I was so mentally exhausted that I didn't care if they took me."
The official informed her that a Cuban passport was necessary to proceed with the deportation, which costs around 320 Canadian dollars in Canada. Sandy expressed that she didn't even have money to eat, to which the official responded that he would handle it.
At a subsequent meeting, everything changed. The official told her, "We've tried contacting Cuba, but they never answered."
Without the Cuban regime's cooperation to verify the deportee's identity and validate travel documents, the deportation was put on hold.
To carry out a deportation to Cuba, Canadian authorities require Havana's response and collaboration.
Records from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada indicate that the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa failed to respond to inquiries made by the agency in December 2024.
Sandy humorously expressed her relief: "Oh my God, for the first time, Cuba is doing something good for me."
Eventually, her application for permanent residency was approved. "I tried to do things right, kept fighting, and finally, I got my residency," she shares in the video.
Her case is not unique. Cuba's lack of consular cooperation is a documented pattern that can hinder deportations from both Canada and the United States.
In 2024, Canada deported over 16,000 individuals, an 11% increase from the previous year, and processed 356 asylum applications from Cuban citizens, approving 275. At least 1,281 cases remained pending by the end of that year.
Sandy's experience also highlights the financial hurdles faced by undocumented immigrants: a Cuban passport costs 320 Canadian dollars in Canada, a prohibitive amount for someone struggling to afford rent and food.
Additionally, a travel and transit document is available for 128 Canadian dollars for repatriation cases, according to information from the Cuban Embassy in the country.
Sandy concluded her story with a message to those in similar situations: "Don't lose hope in getting your documents, but don't forget about your life and dreams, which are much bigger than just one country. You deserve to live in peace too."
Understanding Cuban Deportations and Immigration Challenges
Why was Sandy's deportation to Cuba halted?
Sandy's deportation was halted because the Cuban government did not respond to Canadian authorities' attempts to arrange her removal, which is a necessary step to confirm the deportee's identity and validate travel documents.
How does the lack of Cuban consular cooperation affect deportations?
The lack of cooperation from Cuban consular services can delay or prevent deportations, as authorities require confirmation and collaboration from the Cuban government to proceed.
What are the financial challenges for undocumented immigrants in Canada?
Undocumented immigrants face significant financial challenges, including the high cost of obtaining a Cuban passport in Canada, which is 320 Canadian dollars, a sum that many struggling with basic expenses cannot afford.