A young girl captured the hearts of TikTok users with her innocent response when told her grandmother couldn't travel to Cuba. Unaware that her family was referring to immigration documents, she confidently stated her grandmother does have papers—in the kitchen.
The clip, shared last Friday on TikTok by user @dayanisashley97 (DayiAshley), lasts just 36 seconds but has moved thousands. It highlights the stark contrast between childhood innocence and the harsh reality faced by many Cuban families who are separated.
In the video, the child's family explains that her grandmother can't join them on a trip to Cuba because she "doesn't have papers." Mistaking these for ordinary household paper, the girl innocently insists they do exist: "They're right there, in the kitchen."
This touching moment brought both tears and smiles to viewers. "It makes me want to cry because I want to go to Cuba too, but I don't have papers," the little girl says, not fully grasping why she herself can't make the journey.
The video's description captures the sentiment of countless Cubans: "Sometimes it's better to be a child and understand nothing." Comments were flooded with reactions like "How precious," reflecting the tenderness the clip evoked.
The Complex Reality for Cuban Families
This video's scenario is not unfamiliar to the Cuban community in the United States. Thousands find themselves in a legal limbo that prevents them from traveling: they can't leave the U.S. without risking their ability to return, nor do they have the necessary documents to enter Cuba.
As of April 1, 2025, Cuba requires a valid Cuban passport for entry, removing the previous allowance for expired passports. This change, combined with the Trump administration's cancellation of the CHNV humanitarian parole program in March 2025 and the family reunification parole in December of the same year, has left many Cubans without regularized immigration status in the U.S.
The consequence is a generation of Cubans—including grandmothers—trapped in this limbo, unable to reunite with family on the island. Meanwhile, the children in these families struggle to understand why their loved ones can't simply board a plane.
This type of content has become a significant trend on TikTok during 2025 and 2026, as families within the Cuban diaspora share emotional moments related to separation, reunions, and the innocent misunderstandings of children who can't fully grasp the burdens their elders carry.
Understanding Travel Restrictions for Cubans
Why can't many Cuban families travel to Cuba?
Many Cuban families can't travel due to a lack of valid immigration documents and legal restrictions that prevent them from leaving the U.S. or entering Cuba without risking their residency status.
What changes did Cuba make regarding entry requirements in 2025?
Cuba began requiring a valid Cuban passport for entry as of April 1, 2025, eliminating the previous exception for expired passports.