Deivy Alemán Oropesa, the Cuban who had to "self-deport" leaving his family behind, reunited this weekend with his daughter, whom his wife brought to visit in Cuba after being separated for over a month.
“This weekend, more than a month after voluntarily leaving the country, Deivy Alemán is able to see his daughter after his wife took her for a visit. Deivy's wife received a plane ticket as a gift from a travel agency so she could go along with their daughter,” reported journalist Javier Díaz on Facebook, who has been closely following the case.
"The process of family reunification has not yet been approved, and this family remains separated. Remember that the girl is awaiting open-heart surgery and Deivy was the financial support for his family in the United States," he added.
At the beginning of September, Alemán Oropesa decided to "self-deport" and return to Cuba to avoid immigration detention, even though it meant leaving his young daughter in the United States, who needs another open-heart surgery.
The case
In early September, the Cuban explained that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities gave him two options: accept detention pending forced deportation or leave the country voluntarily before September 14.
"I believe that the best option is to volunteer. What worries me the most is leaving the girl and the family here. She is waiting for surgery, and that hurts me the most," she confessed through tears.
Deivy's daughter, a two-year-old U.S. citizen, has already undergone two open-heart surgeries and needs a third procedure in the coming months.
While his wife takes care of the child, he has been the financial provider for the household, working as an Uber driver, paying taxes, and having no criminal record.
On September 8, when he attended a routine appointment at the ICE office in Orlando, Alemán was informed that he had to leave the United States in less than a week. The news hit the family like a devastating blow.
"It's a situation that still has us in shock," said his wife, who expressed gratitude for the messages of support received on social media and urged that the case reach the ears of congressmen or senators.
The family had submitted medical reports and letters from cardiologists to demonstrate the humanitarian urgency, in addition to having an approved I-130 petition due to their marriage to a U.S. citizen.
However, the immigration agency did not take any of those elements into account.
The lawyer Rosaly Chaviano explained that Alemán was under immigration supervision (form I-220B) and that, under current policies, "humanitarian factors are virtually not being considered."
The case has generated a wave of indignation on social media. Meanwhile, family and friends launched a petition on Change.org in an attempt to stop what they consider an inhumane decision.
But time is running out: this Sunday, Deivy Alemán will take a flight back to Cuba, leaving behind his wife and his sick daughter.
"My hope is that when I am in Cuba, I will receive the request my wife submitted and that I will be allowed to return soon," said the resigned Cuban, who arrived in the United States seven years ago seeking freedom and opportunities, and who now leaves with a broken heart.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Deivy Alemán Oropesa and its Family Impact
Why did Deivy Alemán Oropesa decide to self-deport from the United States?
Deivy Alemán Oropesa decided to voluntarily deport himself to avoid immigration detention and forced deportation. ICE offered him the option to leave voluntarily before September 14 or face detention that could have separated him from his family for an extended period. Despite the humanitarian circumstances of his case, including his daughter's critical illness, the authorities did not take these factors into account to halt his deportation.
How does the family separation affect Deivy Alemán's daughter?
The family separation has had a significant emotional impact on Deivy Alemán's daughter, who needs open-heart surgery. The cardiologist has warned that any emotional imbalance could trigger severe complications in her health. The girl, being a U.S. citizen, relies on her father's emotional and financial support, which exacerbates the situation following his departure to Cuba.
What legal options does Deivy Alemán have to return to the United States?
Deivy Alemán has an approved I-130 petition as part of the family reunification process, but his return to the United States could take up to two years unless his case is addressed for humanitarian reasons. The family has solicited the intervention of congress members or senators, but so far, they have not been able to stop the deportation process.
What impact does deportation have on Cuban families in the U.S.?
Deportation has a devastating impact on Cuban families, separating parents from their children and leaving families without their main financial support. The emotional and psychological trauma is significant, especially for children who witness their parents being detained and expelled from the country. The story of Deivy Alemán is a clear example of the challenges faced by Cuban immigrants under strict immigration policies.
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