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The United States Embassy in Havana continues to deny the humanitarian visa requested for Damir Ortiz Ramírez, a 10-year-old Cuban boy diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and who has a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye.
According to the response sent this Friday to the mother of the little boy and shared by the activists Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia and Yamilka Lafita, the U.S. consular office reaffirmed that, as communicated on February 6, when the visa was requested, both Damir and his mother are "ineligible."
"In the document that was handed to you after your interview, you were informed that both were declared ineligible for a non-immigrant visa under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which means that you were unable to demonstrate that the purpose of your trip to the United States is consistent with the classification of the non-immigrant visa you requested," argued the diplomatic mission.
As an alternative, the consular office suggested applying for humanitarian parole, which must be requested and approved in the United States by the authorities of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
U.S. officials in Havana informed Eliannis Ramírez, the child's mother, that the U.S. Embassy in Cuba only gets involved in the final phase of the process, which includes the interview and the delivery of travel documents to the beneficiary.
The family of Damir, desperate due to the child's health condition, had arranged for a humanitarian visa with the purpose of relocating him to U.S. territory to receive specialized treatment that is not available on the island.
Despite having managed the procedure at a hospital in Miami, Florida, and having launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $40,000 to cover medical and travel expenses, the child still cannot leave the country.
To obtain a humanitarian visa that would allow Damir's relocation to the United States, it was necessary to have a letter of authorization from the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP).
However, according to complaints from the mother and activists, MINSAP refused to provide such documentation, arguing that Cuba has the necessary resources to treat the minor.
According to Diasniurka Salcedo, there is still a possibility that a request submitted on February 14 from the United States will be approved.
"Today immigration confirmed that they recognize the case as urgent, but there is no response," she specified.
Nevertheless, he remained optimistic: "Despite the setbacks, we continue fighting until we achieve it because where there's a will, there's a way."
Damir, currently admitted to the intensive care unit of the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana, with kidney damage and inflammation in both eyes, has suffered for years from the health crisis in Cuba.
His case came to public attention in August 2023 following his mother's claims, which highlighted the dire health situation on the island. The woman has fought through every possible avenue to have her child undergo surgery, but no response from the doctors has been forthcoming.
According to Cuban neurosurgeons, the child's tumor has spread to inoperable areas of the brain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of the Cuban boy Damir Ortiz
Why did the U.S. Embassy deny humanitarian visa to Damir Ortiz?
The U.S. Embassy denied the humanitarian visa to Damir Ortiz due to the lack of a specific document from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) certifying that the country does not have the necessary resources to treat his illness. Without this document, the embassy believes that the visa application does not meet the necessary requirements for approval.
What is MINSAP's position on Damir's treatment abroad?
The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba maintains that the country has the necessary resources to treat Damir. The MINSAP has refused to provide the authorization letter that the U.S. Embassy requires to grant a humanitarian visa, arguing that the minor has received specialized medical care within Cuba. This stance has been criticized by Damir's family and activists who point out the lack of specialized treatments on the island.
What diseases does Damir Ortiz suffer from and what is his current condition?
Damir Ortiz, 10 years old, suffers from type 1 neurofibromatosis and a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, along with a possible leukemia that is currently under investigation. He is currently in critical condition, admitted to the intensive care unit with kidney damage and severe eye inflammation. Damir's medical situation has worsened due to the lack of adequate treatments in Cuba, as reported by his mother and activists.
What alternatives does Damir's family have for him to receive treatment in the U.S.?
Damir's family may consider applying for humanitarian parole, a process that must be initiated in the United States with the authorities of the Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS). However, this procedure also requires time and does not guarantee an immediate solution. In the meantime, a fundraising campaign is taking place on GoFundMe to cover the costs of treatment and transportation.
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