“When Mariel started, I said, “This is the only opportunity I have to get my family out of Cuba”. At that time, I said to myself, “You know something? You’re the only one that’s going to be able to do this.” I decided, when I was 18 years old, to get on a boat, and cross the gulf, and come to the United States. I came in the Mariel boatlift by myself. I was 18 years old. I remember vivid. It was difficult, because I was repudiated. I went through a lot of people screaming and insulting. It was very difficult. I went through that because I said, “This is the only time that I– This is the only way that I’m going to be able to bring my family to the United States.” I remember sitting in the front of the boat, and I was looking at the coastline. The Cuban Coastline, leaving. Getting farther and farther away from me. I said, “Maybe this is the last time I’m going to see Cuba.” It has been, because I haven’t return.”
