This week, there have now been three reports of Cuban women detained after attending their scheduled appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Miramar office in Broward County.
The most recent case is that of Denice Reyes, a migrant who arrived in the country in January 2022 along with her husband, Lisvani Sánchez.
Both were released under supervision using form I-220A and later applied for asylum.
However, during a routine appointment with ICE, Denice was detained and transferred to the migrant center in Broward, while Lisvani was released with a GPS monitoring device.
It is important to note that the young woman has no criminal record.
An unexpected turn in his/her life
Lisvani Sánchez, who experienced firsthand the distressing moment of his wife's detention, has expressed his despair over the authorities' decision.
“Throwing myself to the floor and screaming”, this is how he describes his reaction upon learning that his wife was being detained.
The young man recounted the events in statements to Univision, explaining that he was sent home without his wife and without a clear reason for the arrest.
“At 4 in the afternoon, they came and returned my papers to me, and they told me I had to leave, that my wife had to stay in custody. I asked for the reason, and they told me it was an order that had come from above,” Sánchez recounted.
He stated that he refused to leave the place, but was ultimately forced to exit the parking lot of the ICE office in Miramar. Since then, his life has changed drastically.
“I haven't eaten, I haven't gotten up to go to work,” he confessed, visibly affected by the uncertainty regarding the fate of his wife.
Even though he maintains frequent communication with her, the anguish and fear of what might happen to her keep him on edge.
An uncertain legal situation
Denice and Lisvani crossed the southern border of the United States in January 2022 and received an I-220A.
Following the recent arrest of the young woman, her file now shows a cutoff date in the system, while her husband, despite wearing a tracking device, still does not have a court hearing date.
The attorney Wilfredo Allen, an immigration expert, explained the complex legal situation that many migrants face with this document.
"I believe that when these arrests are made, they are sending a message of panic and fear. Most people are released right away. In some cases, individuals who had an I-220A and no court date have been given a court date," the lawyer detailed.
Allen advised migrants in this situation not to skip their appointments with authorities for fear of being arrested.
Immediate precedents of Cuban individuals with I-220A detained by ICE
The arrest of Denice Reyes adds to that of Laura de la Caridad Sánchez and Yadira Cantallops Hernández, who were also detained by ICE this week during routine ICE check-ins.
Both crossed the border at different times in 2022. In neither case do they have a criminal record, as their lawyers assert.
Laura de la Caridad Sánchez, 26 years old, works, studies nursing, and was scheduled to graduate in December.
In the case of Yadira Cantallops Hernández, she is the mother of a young child born in the U.S. and her cut-off date was in April.
On social media, some users have noted the unusual aspect that all three detainees are women, which is certainly striking.
ICE tightens supervision of immigrants with I-220A
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intensifying the oversight of immigrants benefiting from the I-220A document, a measure that is causing uncertainty and concern among thousands of Cubans in the process of regularization.
Starting this week, those who have attended scheduled appointments at ICE offices in Florida have been notified that they will be subject to stricter monitoring as their asylum cases progress in court.
The digital media Café Fuerte reported that this control will be carried out under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), an alternative mechanism to detention that requires immigrants to check in periodically and comply with specific obligations, such as using monitoring applications and remaining at their residence during specified hours.
Enhanced monitoring and possible home visits
Immigrants under this program have received informational brochures detailing the new rules, as well as mandatory phone supervision and video calls.
ICE warns that it could conduct home visits with the support of local authorities to verify the residence declared by immigrants.
In Florida, those who attended recent appointments at the ICE offices in Miramar, in Broward County, were temporarily moved to a facility in Miami Lakes before being released.
What is Form I-220A?
The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Supervision," is a document that allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions.
Among them is the obligation to attend immigration hearings and not violate local or federal laws.
However, this status is not considered an official admission to the country and does not grant any immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a state of legal uncertainty.
One of the main drawbacks of the I-220A is that Cuban migrants released under this condition are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, as they are not considered "inspected and admitted" into the country.
This restriction affects thousands of Cubans who have arrived in recent years and were hoping to obtain permanent residency.
Experts in immigration law recommend that those in this situation seek specialized legal assistance.
It is crucial to meet all the conditions outlined in Form I-220A and to attend scheduled appointments with immigration authorities punctually to avoid additional complications.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cubans with I-220A by ICE
What is the I-220A form and what is its purpose?
The I-220A form, known as "Order of Release on Recognizance," is a document that allows the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions. It is not considered an official admission to the country nor does it grant immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a state of legal uncertainty. Migrants with an I-220A must adhere to specific conditions and appear at immigration hearings.
Why are they detaining Cubans with I-220A at their appointments with ICE?
The recent detentions of Cubans with the I-220A form during their appointments with ICE are due to a tightening of oversight on immigrants with this status. ICE has heightened control and monitoring of these individuals, who are now required to register periodically and fulfill new obligations while their cases progress in the courts.
What is the impact of the new ICE measures on Cubans with I-220A?
The new measures by ICE, which include the implementation of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) and stricter monitoring, have generated uncertainty and concern among Cubans with I-220A. Many fear being detained or deported, although experts point out that each case is evaluated individually and that not all holders of the I-220A face the same risk.
What recommendations are there for Cubans with I-220A in the United States?
Cubans with I-220A are strongly advised to comply rigorously with all the conditions set forth in the document and to attend scheduled appointments with immigration authorities punctually. It is also crucial to seek specialized legal advice to better understand their situation and explore possible avenues to regularize their immigration status.
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