Deported Cuban Woman Warns of Belonging Losses During ICE Detention
Miami, FL – A recently deported Cuban woman is sharing a cautionary tale about the handling of personal belongings by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a viral TikTok video (@aleagaastry0), the woman details the standard practice of confiscating all possessions upon detention – from clothing and shoes to jewelry and mobile phones.
According to the woman, who recently returned to Cuba, detainees are told their items will be securely stored and returned upon release. “They take everything,” she explains in the video,”clothes,shoes,your phone… everything. They keep it for you until the day you are released.”
However, her experience is coupled with a stark warning: losses do occur. She urges anyone with an upcoming ICE appointment to leave valuables at home. “I’ve seen many cases where things are lost. Try not to wear expensive clothes or bring anything valuable,” she advises,echoing concerns frequently voiced by migrant communities.
Fortunately, in her own case, all belongings – including her passport – were returned intact upon her arrival in Cuba. She noted she only possessed the visa used for travel to Nicaragua at the time of deportation.
The woman emphasized a critical point for those facing detention: access to personal items is completely restricted. “If you are in a detention center, you won’t get your phone, your clothes, anything until you are released,” she stated.
Her testimony aligns with a growing number of reports from migrants detailing lost or delayed returns of personal belongings and crucial documents during and after ICE detention. While ICE policy dictates the secure storage and return of property, the experiences shared online highlight a significant risk for vulnerable individuals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.
Keywords: ICE, deportation, immigration, personal belongings, lost property, migrant rights, cuba, TikTok, detention centers, immigration detention.
