After several days of uncertainty, Cuban baseball player Reinier Hernández Echevarría, 35, has been located following a social media campaign initiated by his family in Miami. Originally from Pinar del Río, Hernández shared his ordeal with Cubalite magazine, revealing his efforts to seek political asylum and reunite with his newborn daughter in the United States.
“I was desperate to be with my daughter, but my appointment through CBP One was delayed, so I took a risk and sought asylum at the border without informing my family. I assumed I’d be allowed to make a call, but that was not the case,” Hernández recounted.
The Struggles of Seeking Asylum
Hernández described being detained for 19 days without any contact with his family. He also reported experiencing mistreatment and the disregard of his asylum requests. Eventually, he was deported back to Mexico, losing his belongings and facing harsh conditions while attempting to secure a new appointment to legally enter the U.S.
Family's Desperate Search
His wife, Yedenia Pereda, reported his disappearance earlier in October when Hernández ceased communication from Tijuana, where he was waiting for entry approval. The family's concern highlights the challenges faced by those navigating the complex immigration system.
Continuing the Journey
Despite these setbacks, Hernández, who was part of provincial pre-selection teams in Pinar del Río and Artemisa in Cuba’s National Series, remains determined to continue his immigration process. He aims to finally reunite with his family in Miami and pursue a better future.