The Cuban announcer Yunior Morales joyfully revealed this Tuesday that he has secured residency in the United States. He took to Facebook to express his overwhelming gratitude and excitement over this new immigration status. "After checking the mailbox, I'm more grateful, happy, and thrilled... Yunior Morales is now a U.S. Resident. Time to celebrate!" he wrote, alongside images of official documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a photo of himself beside the Statue of Liberty.
Morales departed from Cuba in 2023, journeying through Mexico before reaching U.S. soil. In September 2023, during his wait for an appointment with CBP One, he described Tapachula as "full of Cubans" who were disciplined as they awaited their turn for immigration interviews. "Most of the Cubans in Chiapas, Tapachula, are not here to cause trouble. They are focused on their CBP One application and diligently seeking their interview appointments," he noted at the time.
Shortly thereafter, Morales reached the border and was granted the humanitarian parole that allowed him entry into the U.S. "Good parole with all the benefits. Ready to work and move forward. I am determined to work wherever possible, but my dignity is not for sale. Grateful," he shared then.
Morales described his departure from Cuba as a form of liberation: "When you finally board the plane and leave, arriving somewhere new, you think 'Wow, I'm out.' I used to feel short of breath at home, and now I don't. I feel much better, as if I've freed myself from something very ugly and horrible."
Since arriving, Morales has been an outspoken critic of the Cuban regime. In July 2024, he posted a video showcasing a shopping trip in an American supermarket, declaring, "I'm enjoying the blessing of freedom, of having dignity, and not settling for misery, knowing that God rewards the brave."
Last September, he reported that the Cuban regime ordered his voice to be removed from official media as part of the censorship against regime critics. "Remove all voices of announcer Yunior Morales," he stated was the directive given at Radio Ciudad del Mar and the Perlavisión channel. "Being an announcer was a personal fulfillment that will never surpass my human values. I started at 23, was highly rated, and had significant content. I can only imagine how much they had to scour through various stations and TV channels to erase me."
With his residency now secured, Morales reaffirms his integration into life in the U.S., a country where he has expressed feeling completely free.
Yunior Morales' Journey to U.S. Residency
How did Yunior Morales obtain residency in the United States?
Yunior Morales secured his U.S. residency after arriving from Cuba through Mexico, receiving humanitarian parole that allowed him to enter the United States.
What challenges did Morales face during his journey?
During his journey, Morales witnessed many Cubans in Tapachula, Mexico, who were focused on their immigration processes, indicating a disciplined approach to securing their interviews with CBP One.
Why does Yunior Morales criticize the Cuban regime?
Morales criticizes the Cuban regime for its censorship and suppression of voices that oppose it, including the directive to remove his voice from official media.