Denice Reyes, one of the Cuban women with an I-220A who was detained by ICE agents during her appointment in Miramar on March 10, is currently at a migrant detention center in Otay Mesa, San Diego, California, from where she recounted how the abrupt transfer from the Broward center occurred.
“They woke us up in the early morning, around two o'clock. They started calling us. There were about 27 of us. What the officers told us was that they were going to move us to San Diego or Arizona,” explained Reyes in a phone statement released by Univision.
The young woman specified that "it was a large group of men" and another group of about 27 women.
The transfer took place on Sunday, March 16. According to Reyes' testimony, the other Cuban who is currently with her in Otay Mesa is Beatriz Monteagudo.
Denice's husband, Lisvani Sánchez, has expressed his growing concern over the lack of official information regarding his wife's situation.
“The worst thing is the misinformation that exists, that no one knows how to tell them anything. No one says anything to them, no one talks to them, they are simply left there,” he stated.
"My wife says it is quite frustrating what they are going through in there," Sánchez added.
Denice's lawyer is currently working to secure bail for the young woman, for which, according to Lisvani, she qualifies.
Beatriz Monteagudo, the other Cuban detained alongside Denice, does not have close relatives in the United States, which is why a friend recently started a fundraiser on Gofundme to help her raise funds to afford a lawyer.
Immigration attorney Wilfredo Allen provided his analysis on the reasons behind these migrant relocations between states.
“I believe it is to intimidate, create panic, and make people fear and leave the United States,” Allen stated.
As of the time of this report, there is no information on the whereabouts of the other two Cuban individuals who were detained on March 10. They are Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, 26 years old; and Yadira Cantallops, who is the mother of a small child.
Every day, hundreds of immigrants, many of them Cubans with I-220A, attend their mandatory appointments at the ICE office in Miramar, in Broward County, uncertain whether they will be able to return home or will be detained.
In recent days, coinciding with the increasing tension related to the detention of the aforementioned group of Cuban women, lawyer Wilfredo Allen insisted that, despite specific cases, the majority of Cubans with I-220A are not experiencing any issues with their appointments with ICE.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar faces the music
The congresswoman María Elvira Salazar sent a message last week to migrants with I-220A, in which she stated that she had spoken with high-ranking officials from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging them "strongly" not to detain more Cubans and to allow their asylum cases to be heard.
María Elvira recalled that from the Biden Administration she tried to find a solution for the Cubans who are under that status, and insisted that she will “not stop fighting as long as necessary."
"You can be assured that I will not back down from this fight and that I am calling for them to grant 'Parole in Place'", she added.
She also emphasized that, although it did not happen with the Biden Administration, she feels "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 Release on Recognizance," 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 to violate local or federal laws.
However, this status is not considered an official admission to the country nor does it confer immigration benefits, leaving 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" in the country.
This restriction affects thousands of Cubans who have entered in recent years and were expecting to obtain permanent residency.
Experts in immigration law 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.
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