Relatives of a group of Cuban women with I-220A detained on March 10 during an interview with ICE in Miramar, in Broward County, are fearing that their loved ones may be deported to Cuba.
The husbands of the two women specified in statements to Univision that they spent nearly 24 hours without any information about their partners.
When they finally received news, they were in Arizona, but only passing through, because their final destination was a migrant detention center in San Diego, in the state of California.
Ernesto David Puig, husband of Yadira Cantallops, is distressed because he has a two-year-old son in his care who keeps asking about his mother.
“Whenever they knock on the door, he runs away. Today, at the daycare, as soon as he arrived, he grabbed a phone they have there and started saying ‘mom’… talking to himself,” the man recounted.
"The fear you had in Cuba, you have it here. I also have I-220A. If I get detained, what happens to the child? He asks me where his mom is, and I tell him that she's working. It's something intense," he added.
The husband of Yadira Cantallops says that his biggest concern is that his partner will be transferred to California and then deported to Cuba, without being able to defend her asylum in court.
For her part, for Lisvani Sánchez, since the arrest of his wife Denice Reyes, who was also transferred to California, the past seven days have been very tough and nearly sleepless.
“I need her here with me, this is killing me”, says Lisvani.
The young man reported that the Cuban women were taken out at two in the morning from Broward, brought to Miami Airport, and there they were put "on a small plane" heading to Arizona.
Sánchez assured that together with Denice, they moved other Cuban women, one from Nicaragua and another from Haiti.
"The painful thing is that since Sunday at nine in the morning we have been calling the detention center and they wouldn't tell us where they were," added Lisvani.
Celia Sánchez, mother of Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez -another one of the Cubans detained- stated that on Sunday, they called the Broward Detention Center and were told that her daughter was still there.
However, when a family member went to the place, they were informed that she had been transferred.
The most worrying thing is that in their case they had a pending asylum case on December 25, and their court date has been canceled.
"By removing the court’s mandate, the lawyers no longer have the authority to take any action," lamented the young woman's mother.
There is a fourth Cuban documented in the group, Beatriz Monteagudo, 25 years old, who hardly has any relatives in the U.S. and whose mother is desperate in Cuba.
What do the lawyers say?
“We're not exactly sure where she will end up, but we continue to fight for her freedom […] What is happening is completely new. We don't even know why it's happening,” says Eduardo Soto, the lawyer for Laura de la Caridad González.
For immigration attorney Jesús Novo, who represents Yadira Cantallops, this transfer by ICE is a strategy by the authorities to make the process more difficult for migrants and the defense of their cases.
What they are doing is denying these people access to lawyers. For example, we have clients who, being here, would be very easy to represent; they have the right to bail, and it would likely be very difficult for the judge to deny it, because they have all the elements to be granted bail,” says Novo.
On Monday night, the family members of these women had not received an answer regarding whether they had already been transferred to California.
Their lawyers are waiting for that to happen in order to determine what the next legal steps may be to represent their clients.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar stands up
The congresswoman María Elvira Salazar sent a message this Tuesday to migrants with I-220A in which she specified that she spoke with senior officials from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to whom she “strongly” urged to stop detaining more Cubans and allow their asylum cases to be heard.
"I am very aware of the detentions of Cubans with I-220A during their appointments in Miramar, and I am thoroughly investigating what is happening," warned the Cuban-American congresswoman at the beginning of a heartfelt message of support posted on X.
“Recently, I spoke with senior officials from ICE and Homeland Security, and I strongly urged them not to detain Cubans with I-220A and to allow their asylum cases to be heard,” he added.
María Elvira recalled that since the Biden Administration she has been trying to find a solution for the Cubans who are under that status, and she insisted that she will "not stop fighting until it is necessary."
"You can be sure that I will not give up this fight and that I am desperately asking for 'Parole in Place'", she added.
She emphasized that, although this did not happen under the Biden Administration, she is "confident" that under the Trump Administration a solution will be found.
What is Form I-220A?
The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Release on Recognizance," is a document that allows the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions.
Among them is the obligation to appear at immigration hearings and not to violate local or federal laws.
However, this status is not considered an official admission to the country nor does it grant immigration benefits, which leaves the beneficiaries in a legally uncertain situation.
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 entered in recent years and were hoping to obtain permanent residency.
Experts in immigration law recommend that those in this situation seek specialized legal counsel.
It is crucial to meet all the conditions established in the I-220A form and to attend scheduled appointments with immigration authorities punctually to avoid additional complications.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Detentions of Cubans with I-220A in Florida
What is the I-220A form and what is its importance for Cuban migrants?
The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Release on Recognizance," is a document that allows the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions. This status is not considered an official admission to the country nor does it grant immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a legally uncertain situation. For Cuban migrants, this means they are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act. It is crucial to comply with all established conditions to avoid further complications.
Why were the Cuban women with I-220A detained in Florida?
The detentions of Cuban women with I-220A in Florida have caused uncertainty due to the lack of clear explanations from ICE. Some attorneys suggest that these detentions are part of a strategy to complicate the defense process for migrants and to deny them access to their lawyers. There is no official reason for the selection of women, although various theories are speculated regarding the reason for their detention.
What measures is ICE taking regarding migrants with I-220A in the United States?
ICE has intensified monitoring of migrants with I-220A through the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP). This control involves stricter monitoring while their asylum cases proceed in courts, including periodic check-ins and mandatory video calls. ICE also warns about potential home visits to verify the residence declared by immigrants.
How can individuals with I-220A defend their asylum cases in the United States?
It is essential for individuals with an I-220A to seek specialized legal advice to defend their asylum cases. Experts recommend strictly adhering to the conditions outlined in the I-220A form and attending scheduled appointments with immigration authorities punctually. Maintaining effective communication with their attorneys and presenting a strong case in court are key steps for their defense.
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