Every day, hundreds of immigrants, many of them Cuban with I-220A, attend their mandatory appointments at the ICE office in Miramar, in Broward County, with the uncertainty of whether they will be able to return home or will be detained.
“I feel nervous because if something happens to me, my family will be left without support,” said Yasel Gutiérrez in statements to Univision, who, accompanied by his wife and child, showed up at the office this week, aware of the risks but determined to comply with the law.
"I'm half here and half who knows where, because even though I'm here, I'm not legally here," she admitted.
“Everyone is very scared, there are many people who don't even want to attend appointments”, explained Royma Alarcón, another person present.
Meanwhile, outside the ICE headquarters, several pro-immigrant organizations have set up support stations to provide assistance to those waiting in the sun.
"They come from very distant places, we have started to bring coffee, water for the elderly, and snacks for the children," said Yaquelin López from the American Friends Service Committee, while holding a sign with the message: “Love knows no borders.”
Yasel's appointment was scheduled for 8:30 in the morning, but the uncertainty stretched on for hours. His wife, who was waiting for him with their child, began to worry upon seeing ICE patrols leaving the facility with detainees onboard.
Finally, after one in the afternoon, the young man.
"They didn’t ask me anything, only if I had a cutoff date, and they scheduled me for next year,” he recounted, relieved.
“Everyone was nervous”, he concluded, describing the common feeling in the ICE waiting room.
In recent days, coinciding with the growing tension related to the detention of a group of Cuban women with I-220A on March 10, attorney Wilfredo Allen stressed that, despite specific cases, the majority of Cubans with I-220A continue to have no issues at their appointments with ICE.
From the group of detained Cuban women, cases include Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, 26 years old; Yadira Cantallops, who is the mother of a small child; Denice Reyes, whose husband is desperate, and Beatriz Monteagudo, whose mother has asked for help from Cuba to secure a lawyer for the young woman.
The Cuban women were taken out of the Broward detention center over the weekend and first transferred to Arizona and then to an immigration detention center in San Diego, in the state of California.
The families of those affected fear that the ultimate outcome will be deportation.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar steps up
The congresswoman María Elvira Salazar sent a message this week to migrants with I-220A in which she stated that she spoke with senior officials from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to whom she “strongly” requested that they do not detain 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 warm 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 sought a solution for the Cubans who are under that status, and she insisted that she will "not stop fighting as long as it is necessary."
"You can be sure that I will not back down from this fight and that I am crying out for them to give 'Parole in Place'", he added.
She emphasized that, although it did not happen with the Biden Administration, she is "confident" that with the Trump Administration a solution will be found.
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Supervised Release," is a document that allows for 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 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" in the country.
This restriction affects thousands of Cubans who have entered in recent years and were hoping to obtain permanent residency.
Immigration law experts recommend that those in this situation seek specialized legal advice.
It is crucial to comply with all the conditions outlined in the I-220A form and to attend scheduled appointments with immigration authorities on time to avoid additional complications.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Challenges Faced by Cubans with I-220A in the U.S.
What is the I-220A form and how does it affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The I-220A form is a "Supervised Release Order" that allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions, such as attending immigration hearings and not violating laws. However, this status is not an official admission into the country nor does it provide immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a state of legal uncertainty. This affects thousands of Cubans who cannot adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Why are some Cubans with I-220A being detained during their appointments with ICE?
Recently, ICE has increased oversight of immigrants with I-220A, leading to detentions during routine check-ins. Although there is no clear official explanation, the detentions appear to be linked to violations of the conditions of the I-220A, according to some lawyers. Additionally, it is believed to be a strategy to instill fear among migrants.
What measures are lawyers and politicians taking to help Cubans with I-220A?
Immigration lawyers are preparing lawsuits to help Cubans with I-220A out of immigration limbo. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar is working on a bill that could benefit these migrants and has urged ICE and the Department of Homeland Security not to detain more Cubans and to consider their asylum cases.
What can Cubans with I-220A do to protect themselves from deportation?
It is crucial for Cubans with I-220A to meet all the conditions outlined in the form and attend their scheduled appointments with immigration authorities punctually. Additionally, it is recommended to seek specialized legal advice to strengthen their asylum cases and stay informed about legal updates that may affect their status.
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