He eventually succeeded in coming to the U.S. in a harrowing boat trip , during which his mother fell overboard and had to be rescued .
Fernandez grew up in Cuba and was jailed three times after failed attempts to defect .
Fernandez eventually succeeded in coming to the U.S. in a harrowing boat trip , during which Fernandez 's mother fell overboard and had to be rescued .
Fernandez grew up in Cuba and was jailed three times after failed attempts to defect .