'How it happened in Cuba': Pop superstar Gloria Estefan now carries her passport 'just in case'

Published: Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 2:58 pm

Gloria Estefan Expresses Concerns Over Eroding Freedoms in the U.S.

Pop icon Gloria Estefan has voiced her concerns regarding the current political climate in the United States, drawing parallels to the erosion of freedoms she witnessed in her native Cuba. In a recent interview with the Times of London, the singer, who has been a U.S. citizen for many years, shared her anxieties about the direction the country is heading.

Estefan, born in Havana, Cuba, but raised in the United States since the age of two, revealed that she now carries her U.S. passport as a form of identification. She cited President Trump's anti-immigration policies as a key factor in her decision, expressing worry over the potential for civil liberties to be undermined.

The singer recounted instances of legal residents being detained, including the girlfriend of her guitar technician, who was held in a detention center for five months despite having lived in the U.S. for 25 years and paying taxes. Estefan described these situations as "inhumane" and "scary," emphasizing that such actions do not align with the values of the United States.

Estefan, who rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine, drew a comparison between the current political climate and the crackdown on civil liberties in Cuba during the 1960s. She stated that she carries her passport "just in case," reflecting a sense of unease about the potential for unexpected events. She also mentioned the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows individuals to be questioned based on their language or skin color.

Estefan, who identifies as neither Republican nor Democrat, emphasized the importance of protecting freedoms and speaking out against policies that she believes are detrimental to the country's values.

BNN's Perspective:

While Gloria Estefan's concerns are understandable, it's important to acknowledge that the U.S. legal system is complex and that immigration policies are often debated. While the singer's personal experiences and observations are valuable, it is important to consider the broader context of national security and the need for a balanced approach to immigration reform.

Keywords: Gloria Estefan, immigration, Donald Trump, civil liberties, Cuba, passport, Miami Sound Machine, freedom, political climate, U.S. Supreme Court, Spanish, anti-immigration, detention, legal residents, Times of London

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