The US warns about the consequences of lying to a consul

North American authorities have warned Cuban citizens to lie to the consul in their interview for the visa can be penalized harshly.

Through a statement published in its X account, the United States Embassy in Cuba said that those who are discovered in Perjury will face a permanent prohibition of entering US territory.

The alert, which underlines the importance of being honest, occurs at a time when Cubans face greater obstacles to obtaining a visa due to the strictest immigration policies implemented from the Donald Trump administration.

Consular section advice … pic.twitter.com/lhka2oql77

– Embassy of the United States in Cuba (@usembcuba) March 19, 2025

The hardening of the low migratory process Trump

The arrival of Donald Trump to the White House meant a hardening of migratory policies to Cuba, which has further complicated the obtaining of visas. Under its administration, the process has become more rigorous, especially in the field of family reunification, which has been an important objective for thousands of Cubans trying to meet their relatives in the US.

This situation has translated into a growing discomfort. The generalized perception is that the decisions of the consuls are not always based on the facts presented by the applicants, but, in many cases, they depend on the personal interpretation of the consular officials.

In this sense, applicants have denounced that the relationship with Cuban state institutions, although mandatory in many cases, is negatively seen by US officials, without considering the particular circumstances of each case.

Interest article: Humanitarian visa for Cubans: everything you need to know

Testimonies of affected Cubans

Catherine Rivera Castañeda, one of those affected by the denial of her visa, expressed her discontent through social networks. «How can it be that, by an appreciation of a consul, visas are being denied to parents of American citizen children only for being born in Cuba?» He questioned.

Others such as Iliana Monteagudo argue that consular decisions must be more nuanced and not generalize. «It cannot be generalized. There are many people who, for work reasons, have had to be linked to the Cuban government without being part of their ideology, ”he said.

In line with these testimonies, immigration lawyer Abel Zaldívar has documented an increase in the denial of visas by family reunification under the argument that the applicants worked in institutions linked to the Cuban regime, as waters of Havana and the electricity company.

This situation has caused a feeling of injustice, especially in a context where many Cubans say that their link with the government is purely professional and not ideological.

Uncertainty and delays in the migratory process

In addition to the arbitrary decisions of the consuls, the long waiting in the migratory processes have generated even more frustration. Many Cubans, such as Tania Heneriz, have been waiting for a family gathering for years without obtaining an answer. «We are being treated as criminals, but the only thing we are looking for is a better future for our families,» Heneriz denounced.

On the other hand, the case of Cuban presenter Carlos Otero, who has been waiting for the approval of his son’s visa for eight years, reflects the chronic delay in the process.