By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
On a Thursday morning earlier this month, Michael Hernandez was worried about his wife.
Hernandez and his wife, both Cuban nationals, had been separated after being stopped and detained by the Border Patrol after illegally crossing the southern border of the United States.
Hernandez was one of 16 men released by the Border Patrol at the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition’s migrant processing center on Las Vacas Street one Thursday morning earlier this month, and one of Hernandez’s first priorities was trying to get in touch with his wife.
Hernandez, in his 30s, said he made the decision to come to the United States because of the oppressive government in his native country. He said he has worked mainly in construction.
“But it is very hard to work in a country without human rights, without a good government. Free expression, freedom of opinion, we don’t have that. I have a friend who ‘disappeared’ for his opinion,” Hernandez said.
He shook his head and said he is on medication to cope with the anxiety of living in Cuba.
Hernandez said he hopes to find work in the United States, but quickly pointed out that is secondary.
“The most important thing is this is a free country; it’s a great country because it’s free,” he said.
Hernandez said he and his wife left Cuba in late June, intent on getting to Miami, Fla., where several members of her family already live and work.
Hernandez, too, has family in the United States.
“I have an uncle and his family, who live in Louisville, Kentucky. I know it’s a beautiful place because my best friend already lives there,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said his mother and grandmother, as well as two brothers, still live in Cuba.
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