A young Cuban woman, known on TikTok as Day (@dayamelia11), shared a video on April 10 detailing the discrimination she faced while seeking employment in Mexico, solely because of her Cuban nationality.
"They humiliated me while I was looking for a job just because I'm Cuban," Day begins in her video, which runs a bit over three minutes and has garnered more than 10,100 views and 529 likes.
Her story starts in Cuba, where she unexpectedly lost her job: "I left a place with no open doors, the job ended abruptly, like when a light goes out and you're left in darkness."
With this burden, she moved to Mexico hoping for a fresh start, only to encounter discrimination.
Facing Discrimination in Mexico
During a job interview, an employer questioned her nationality, and Day vividly described the tone used: "You're Cuban, they asked me, and believe me, it wasn't out of curiosity; it was a judgment."
"I felt a tightness in my chest, but it wasn't the words that hurt; it was the manner that made me feel inferior," she recounted.
Despite the humiliation, Day did not lose her dignity: "I left with tears in my eyes but my dignity firmly in hand."
The Broader Struggle of Migrants
Day's experience is a reality for many migrants in Mexico. According to the National Survey on Discrimination (ENADIS, 2022), 28.8% of the migrant population in Mexico has faced discrimination, and 56.4% feel their rights are not respected.
In cities like Tapachula, the situation is particularly harsh. Brian Balcón, who organized the migrant caravan in October 2025, described it succinctly: "You can't live here because of rampant xenophobia, there's no work, and the jobs available are 12-hour shifts for just 150 pesos a day."
This caravan, which included between 1,200 and 1,500 Cuban migrants marching from Tapachula to Mexico City, was a direct response to xenophobia and poor working conditions.
Finding Hope and Overcoming Adversity
The migration context adds to the challenge: since January 2025, the cancellation of the CBP One program and stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration have led more Cubans to consider Mexico as their final destination rather than heading further north.
However, Day's story doesn't end in defeat. She continued searching until she found a different employer: "I found a place where they didn't ask where I came from but what I could do, where my nationality wasn't seen as a flaw but as part of my story."
Other Cuban women have shared similar stories of overcoming initial rejection in Mexico to find their path.
Day concluded her video with a powerful message to those in similar situations: "Being Cuban means carrying strength in your soul, knowing how to rise even when everything falls," adding that rejection can serve as guidance: "Sometimes rejection isn't a loss; it's direction."
Understanding Discrimination Against Cuban Migrants in Mexico
What challenges do Cuban migrants face in Mexico?
Cuban migrants in Mexico often encounter discrimination, xenophobia, limited job opportunities, and poor working conditions. Many feel their rights are not respected, making it difficult to establish a stable life.
How has the migration context for Cubans changed since 2025?
Since 2025, the cancellation of the CBP One program and stricter U.S. immigration policies have prompted more Cubans to see Mexico as a final destination instead of continuing to the United States.