"I am I-220, and so what?": Cuban sends a message to those who stigmatize immigrants

Cuban exilector with I-220 status sends heartfelt message about hope and resilience.


The former Cuban broadcaster Alejandro Quintana sent an emotional message, in the form of a letter, to other immigrants whose status is I-220A (Order of Supervised Release), in which he urges them to become aware of the situation many face as they seek a better life in the United States.

At the beginning of a video posted on the social media platform TikTok, Quintana specifies that her open letter is addressed to "those who stigmatize immigrants under status I-220 and to those who suffer from it."

"For many, this status has become a symbol of waiting and vulnerability, but also of resilience and hope," he expressed in a text that reflects the reality of thousands of immigrants.

However, she lamented that many sectors of society perceive those who hold this status as "different" or "marked by a supposed weakness."

He argued that they, like anyone else, seek "the opportunity to contribute, prosper, and be part of a community," emphasizing that immigration legal processes do not define a person's worth.

In his letter, the young Cuban spoke about the entire framework that migratory processes represent, pointing out the language barrier, the complexity of the procedures, and the uncertainty. He requested to “not burden newcomers with more judgments or prejudices,” but rather “with more empathy, understanding, and solidarity.”

“Do not let the stigma rob you of your dignity, hold your head high knowing that you are in a process that many do not understand, but that in the end is a path towards your freedom and your stability. Move forward with the conviction that this status is not only temporary and does not have the power to determine who you are or what you can achieve in your life,” he pointed out in his message, which has received hundreds of comments.

"Very beautiful! Everything said is very true. Society can sometimes be very cruel," "Your words are very comforting, my brother," "I hope the world has deep ears and feelings," were some of the opinions expressed regarding the topic.

Quintana, known for his work in Cuban television and radio, emigrated to the United States in 2022. Throughout his first year, he worked in a restaurant for long shifts of 12 to 14 hours a day, and on Sundays he took the opportunity to deliver packages through Amazon Flex. "This is what thousands of immigrants with good judgment and a desire to get ahead have done," he added in a video published recently.

Since 2022, and in the context of the serious Cuban migration crisis, more than 850,000 migrants from the island have arrived in the United States, according to figures from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office.

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