Second Wave of Cubans Migrants Arrive in Laredo

A second wave of Cuban migrants have been making their way into Laredo this weekend. The first group came in January and it was mostly men. This time, women and children are also making the long trek to the U.S.

In the past two years, almost 44,000 Cubans have come to the U.S. through Laredo's ports of entry. And, as thousands continue to pour in, social concerns have reached lawmakers' ears.

Nightfall at the border, these Cubans have finally reached their destination. Now, they wait. In the waiting room we find 18-year-old Eiliany Hernandez Rangel and her mom who left everything behind. She says, "Vendimos las casa en Cuba y ya fue que juntamos dinero para ser esto. Para ayudar a mi familia en Cuba que alla la economia es mala. Nosotros queremos ayudar a mis hermanas, tias, abuelas, a todos." Translation: We sold our house in Cuba. That's how we save the money to be able to do this. So we can helpthe family back in Cuba. Over there, the economy is bad. We want to be able to help our sisters, aunts, grandmas, everyone.

Dressed with clothing a stranger bought them, mother and daughter wait for help from Cubanos en Libertad. Hernandez explains, "Nos van a llevar para alla. Nos quedamos sin dinero. Y nos van a llevar para alla." Translation: They're going to take us over there. We stayed without money, and they're taking us over there.

Of the thousands who arrive in Laredo, many will head out to Miami or other parts of the country. But concerns have reached the congressman for this district about the group who is forced to stay until help comes. Congressman Henry Cuellar says, "I've heard from local folks about the aggressive panhandling, and the way they've been a little aggressive, and the way they've been with some of the businesses downtown. That's an issue that we need to look at working with the city."

Because of the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, Cubans don't have to wait as long as other migrants to become citizens. However, as rumors grow that the act could end soon as relations with Cuba improve, there will be thousands more yet to come and wait like Eilliany and her mom for a chance at a brighter future.

Congressman Cuellar says he supports immigration reform that could change the asylum eligibility for Cubans. However, since it is election year, Cuellar says some in congress are reluctant to take on this issue until a new president is in office.

This weekend, about 200 Cubans arrived in Laredo in separate groups.