Daniela Fuentes, a 32-year-old transgender Cuban woman who previously resided in Miami, now finds herself in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. She conceals her gender identity due to fears of discrimination and is unable to work without proper documentation. Though the Cuban embassy has permitted her return to the island, she hopes to seek asylum in another country, potentially Canada, as reported by Associated Press and shared by Univision on October 11.
Fuentes is currently staying in an apartment complex in Bangui, where Central African authorities house individuals deported from the United States. She shares her living space with four Cuban men who, aware of her gender identity, offer her protection.
To blend in, she wears men's clothing, speaks softly, and only dons her wig in the privacy of the bathroom. "They took away my whole life, everything I am," she lamented, describing the drastic changes since her arrival in Africa.
Life in Limbo: A Struggle for Identity and Freedom
Although Fuentes is allowed to leave the complex, officials have advised the deportees against doing so. Without passports or identification documents, they face potential issues with the police and are barred from employment. The International Organization for Migration provides them with food, while the group collects donations to purchase additional supplies.
Hopes for Asylum Amidst Uncertainty
A document from the Cuban embassy, referenced in the report, confirms Fuentes is authorized to return to Cuba. However, she aims to seek protection in another country, possibly Canada. There has been no confirmation of an accepted asylum application or any timeline for her departure from the Central African Republic.
Fuentes, who grew up in the La Lisa neighborhood of Havana, left Cuba in 2023 to escape harassment and economic hardship. After spending seven months in Mexico, she entered the United States through a CBP One appointment and settled in Miami, where she worked at a beauty salon and lived openly as a woman.
From a Texas Courtroom to an African Flight
Her current situation starkly contrasts with her life in Miami. In September, while staying at Hotel Maison Confort, Fuentes expressed to CiberCuba her fear of venturing outside. Now living in the government complex, she remains undocumented and uncertain of when she might leave the country.
According to Fuentes, she sought to move an open immigration case from a court in Texas to Florida but received no response. Missing a hearing in Texas led to her detention by immigration agents after being found outside a motel. Public records confirm a judge ordered her removal from the U.S., though the specific reasons remain unclear.
During her detention, Fuentes reported being placed with male detainees, her wig confiscated, and given male attire. She passed through two Florida detention centers before being transferred to Texas. She only discovered her destination was Africa five hours into the flight and noted she lacks legal representation. ICE did not respond to journalists' inquiries.
The Complexities of Third-Country Deportations
The U.S. administration defends its policy of deporting individuals to countries other than their origin, claiming assurances from receiving governments that deportees will not face persecution or torture. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the conditions of some transfers and the actual protection provided to deportees.
A Human Rights Watch report dated October 8 documented the deportation of 536 individuals from the U.S. to African countries not their own between January 2025 and August 2026, including at least 12 LGBT individuals sent to nations where same-sex relationships or certain public displays of affection are criminalized. Other Cubans sent to Africa reported imprisonment and a lack of information regarding their destinations.
Yasmany Moreno, another Cuban deportee in Bangui, explained the group arrived without visas or legal documents confirming their status in the Central African Republic. Initially, authorities mentioned providing assistance for 90 days, but the deportees remain uncertain about their future. Fuentes continues to await documentation that would allow her to leave the country.
Key Questions About Daniela Fuentes' Situation
Why is Daniela Fuentes hiding her identity in Africa?
Daniela Fuentes hides her gender identity due to fears of discrimination and potential harm in the Central African Republic.
What are Fuentes' plans for seeking asylum?
Fuentes hopes to seek asylum in another country, possibly Canada, to escape her current conditions.
How has the U.S. government defended its deportation policy?
The U.S. government claims to have agreements ensuring deportees are not persecuted or tortured in third countries, despite concerns from human rights organizations.