By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Church and State.

What does it feel like to step onto American soil and instantly sense a freedom you’ve never known? For Gabby Puckett, a Cuban immigrant who fled a communist regime, the answer was a rush of awe that still fuels her every day.

Escaping a Regime: A Family’s Quest for Freedom

Gabby’s childhood in Cuba was marked by scarcity and state control. She recalls weeks without water, prolonged blackouts, and food shortages, all while schools omitted any discussion of democracy or economics. “I thought that was how life was supposed to be,” she said, describing her early years under a dictatorship.

Her father’s outspoken anti‑communist stance repeatedly landed him in trouble, prompting the family to seek any avenue out of the island. After years of paperwork, they secured Spanish citizenship through an ancestor, a move that finally allowed them to leave Cuba. “We had to become citizens of another country in order to leave our own. Isn’t that funny?” Gabby reflected, noting the paradox of needing foreign papers to gain true freedom.

Finding America: A Shock of Opportunity

Arriving in the United States, Gabby was overwhelmed by the abundance she encountered – from grocery aisles stocked with diverse foods to ubiquitous technology and advertising. The ease of securing employment struck her as a stark contrast to her experiences in Spain, where she felt the early signs of socialist policies she had already endured in Cuba.

“If you don’t want to work, it’s because you don’t want to or you’re not physically capable,” she observed, emphasizing the personal responsibility and opportunity embedded in the American system. Her gratitude for the nation’s freedoms is palpable, yet she admits she can’t fully recapture the initial “shake‑to‑your‑core” wonder that first struck her.

Youth for Liberty: Turning Personal History into Public Service

Motivated by her own story, Gabby founded Youth for Liberty, a nonprofit aimed at educating young Americans about constitutional rights and the importance of defending them. The organization grew from a single conversation at a GOP event in Utah, where she first shared her journey with a budding politician who invited her to speak.

Since then, she has addressed audiences at universities, National Guard events, and private home gatherings across Utah. “People liked it. They kept inviting me to speak,” she said, noting how her lack of formal public‑speaking training never hindered her message.

Her activism also stems from confronting misinformation. When a teacher attributed Cuba’s hardships solely to the U.S. embargo, Gabby reached out for a dialogue that was rebuffed, prompting her to challenge the narrative more broadly. She observed social‑media groups promoting trips to Cuba for ideological indoctrination, reinforcing her resolve to counter such efforts.

Family Legacy and Personal Conviction

Gabby attributes much of her resolve to her father’s example. Despite facing social ostracism for his dissent, he taught her the value of standing up for one’s beliefs. “My dad never betrayed his values and he taught me that,” she recalled, adding that his courage inspired her own refusal to receive a COVID‑19 vaccine at work, a decision she defended by stating, “If you want to fire me, fire me because I know I can find a job anywhere.” This anecdote underscores her belief in personal agency and the right to dissent.

She also highlighted the role of a preserved birth certificate from a great‑great‑great‑grandfather, saved by her grandmother, which ultimately facilitated the family’s acquisition of Spanish citizenship. “Many times you have a birth certificate… and you just throw it away. It saved us,” Gabby noted, illustrating how seemingly minor family records can become pivotal in the pursuit of liberty.

Broader Implications: Immigrant Voices in the Fight for Freedom

Gabby’s narrative illustrates a broader trend of immigrants who, having escaped authoritarian regimes, become ardent defenders of American constitutional principles. Their lived experiences lend credibility to arguments against socialist policies and reinforce the cultural mosaic that fuels civic engagement.

While her story is rooted in personal hardship, it also serves as a call to action for communities across the nation. By mentoring youth and confronting misinformation, Gabby embodies the idea that liberty is not a static gift but a continuous effort requiring education, vigilance, and personal sacrifice.

As the Trump administration continues to champion policies that protect constitutional rights and promote individual liberty, stories like Gabby’s provide tangible examples of why such policies matter on the ground. Her work with Youth for Liberty aligns with a national push to empower the next generation to understand and uphold the freedoms that define the United States.

Gabby Puckett’s journey—from Cuban scarcity to American advocacy—reminds us that liberty, once tasted, becomes a lifelong mission. Her dedication to teaching youth about their rights underscores the vital role immigrants play in strengthening the republic’s core values.

The full episode of Church and State is available on OBBM Network TV.