Latina Regrets Voting for Trump After Her Sick Father Is Detained by ICE and the Internet Has No Sympathy

A Florida woman has gone viral after posting a tearful video confessing that she regrets voting for Donald Trump — a decision she believes contributed to her father's detention by immigration authorities.

On 16 June 2025, Cynthia Hotom shared an emotional clip on social media in which she begged for the release of her terminally ill father. The man, who has lived in Florida for more than 30 years and spent most of his life working in construction to support his family, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

'Please don't let him die in a cell,' Cynthia pleaded in the video. 'The one thing he needs the most is the one thing we're being kept from giving him, which is us.'

Why Her Video Resonated

The video drew widespread attention not just because of the emotional appeal, but because Cynthia openly admitted she had supported the political system that ultimately harmed her own family.

'When I voted for Trump, I supported the very system that lets this happen,' she confessed. 'That's on me.'

A Political Awakening

Raised in South Florida, Cynthia explained she was heavily influenced by conservative messaging and got caught up in right-wing rhetoric.

'I believed the economy talk, the crime talk. I thought I was being practical,' she said. 'I forgot who I was, where I came from. I even stopped teaching my daughter Spanish because I thought we didn't need it anymore.'

Online backlash after she shared her story forced her to reflect on her past beliefs. 'It ripped the blindfold off,' she admitted. 'I finally saw how much I'd turned my back on my own people.'

Now, Cynthia says she's teaching her younger daughter Spanish again as a way to reconnect with the cultural identity she once abandoned.

Divided Reactions Online

The internet's response to Cynthia's confession has been mixed. Some expressed support and sympathy, while others criticised her for contributing to the very policies she now denounces.

'You voted for this,' one commenter wrote — a sentiment echoed by many others. Cynthia, however, does not deflect blame. 'I made that choice. And now I'm watching my dad suffer because of it,' she responded.

Turning Guilt Into Advocacy

Since the video went viral, Cynthia has used her platform to raise awareness about immigration issues. She has become increasingly active on TikTok and in media interviews, speaking openly about her efforts to understand and challenge systemic racism and anti-immigrant policies.

'I'm learning everything I unlearned,' she said. 'And I'm going to fight for people who don't have a voice.'

She has also started attending community events and partnering with local advocacy groups focused on immigrant rights.

'The guilt I carry is heavy, but I won't stay silent anymore,' she added.

Why Her Father Was Detained

According to Cynthia, her father was detained by ICE during a routine check, despite having no criminal record or history of violence. His only issue, she says, was unresolved immigration paperwork — a situation that has become increasingly perilous under stricter enforcement policies.

He has since been moved to a facility an hour away, making family visits difficult. Cynthia fears that he is not receiving adequate medical care.

'All we want is for him to come home and spend what time he has left with us,' she said.

A Widespread Problem

Advocacy groups, including the American Immigration Council, note that Cynthia's story is not unique. Families across the United States are being torn apart by immigration enforcement, often involving individuals with deep roots in the country. Some detainees are denied medical care and die alone, without seeing their loved ones again.

Cynthia says she will continue speaking out.

'This isn't about politics anymore. It's about compassion,' she said. 'No one should die alone in a cage.'

She says she is not looking for pity or forgiveness — only a chance to help fix what she once supported.

'We all make choices,' she said. 'But we can make better ones next.'