Traveling to Cuba after seeking asylum in the United States: "That's not acceptable," says María Elvira Salazar

Salazar criticizes the thousands of Cubans who return to the island after seeking asylum, asserting that this is not right.

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has once again sparked controversy within the Cuban-American community by harshly criticizing Cubans who "request asylum today and vacation in Cuba tomorrow."

In an interview with Univisión journalist Mario Vallejo, Salazar questioned what she considers an ethical contradiction. "We are the first to ask that the embargo be maintained, and we are the first to violate it," the Cuban-born congresswoman argued.

The representative for Florida's 27th district denounced that many immigrants seek protection from the Cuban regime and, as soon as they obtain legal residency, travel to Cuba as if nothing had happened.

"We were the first to come here and ask for asylum, and a year and three months later we went there, to Varadero, to celebrate our daughter's 15th birthday... That's outrageous; this can't be happening," he added.

End of remittances and travel to Cuba?

Salazar said he partially shares the position of Congressman Carlos Giménez. Giménez recently asked President Donald Trump to suspend travel and remittances to Cuba. The letter, made public, insists that these actions economically support the Cuban regime and contradict the rhetoric of firmness advocated by many exiles. Salazar says he partially shares this argument.

This measure may not generate as much consensus as is often believed within the Republican camp. Many emigrants would be unwilling to abandon their families on the island amid the widespread crisis.

In recent weeks, an advertising campaign placed a billboard on Miami-Dade's Palmetto Expressway featuring the faces of Salazar, Giménez, Díaz-Balart, and Rubio, accusing them of being "traitors." A controversial initiative that has had both detractors and supporters.

The black and white sign with the word "TRAITORS" was promoted by the county's Democratic Hispanic Caucus. The group accuses them of not sufficiently opposing Trump's immigration policies, especially the revocation of humanitarian parole, which experts say could have the greatest impact. However, the provisions regarding those who entered through CBP One, or the "limbo" for those with an I-220A form, have also drawn criticism from Cuban Americans in the government.

Salazar responded ironically, suggesting that her detractors "spend two weeks in Cuba and experience socialism." She also invited her critics to "come with me to Congress and see what it's like to really work for District 27."

In any case, thousands of Cuban-Americans feel disappointed by the actions of María Elvira, and even Marco Rubio himself. They believe the measures adopted affect Cubans outside the island, while the regime has not been affected.

"I didn't vote for Trump for this; I voted for him to boost the economy, not to do everything he's been doing," a Cuban wrote on Facebook just a few days ago, while criticizing Salazar's passivity.

Travel to Cuba from the United States

Sources such as Telemundo and El Nuevo Herald have reported an increase in trips to Cuba by people who have recently received immigration protection. According to statistics from the Customs and Border Protection Department, more than 200 Cubans have arrived in the United States since January 2021, many under the pretext of persecution.cucpolitical ion, although return flights to the island have increased considerably.

Salazar reiterated that his commitment to immigrant rights does not mean tolerating systemic abuses. “No one has fought harder than I have for Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans fleeing dictatorships,” he stated, while calling the criticism “cheap Castro-style propaganda.”

Right now, thousands of Cubans are limiting themselves to flying to the island due to fears of possible White House measures, such as the leaked initiative to place Cuba on a red list of countries that would be banned from entering the United States. While this has not materialized, many fear it will be such a far-reaching measure that it will even affect those who already have green cards to reside in the United States.

"The truth is that with Trump, you don't know anything; you can't predict anything. Today he says one thing and tomorrow he could do the opposite," said a Cuban who entered with parole but now has residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act.

Other countries too have recently warned of the risks of traveling to the United StatesSuch is the case of Spain, which raises several concerns. It particularly clarifies the situation of Cuban-Spanish citizens.