Related videos:
Erick Dayan Corcho Aguilar, a 22-year-old Cuban who arrived in the United States through the humanitarian parole program, decided to return to the island after not receiving the renewal of his immigration status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The information was shared by the journalist from Univisión, Javier Díaz, who confirmed that Corcho Aguilar, 22 years old, is already in Cuba with his family.
The young man lived in the city of Denver, Colorado, but without a clear path to legalization and fearing being stopped on the street and taken to an immigrant detention center, he decided that returning to Cuba was his only option.
His journey began on Sunday, first to Miami, from where he took a final flight to Santa Clara, his hometown.
Before leaving, the young man gathered some money and packed his belongings in the hope of rebuilding his life in Cuba.
In theory, by leaving the U.S. without legal residency, it is considered that one has "self-deported," thus remaining outside the U.S. immigration system.
The case of the young man highlights the uncertainty faced by many Cuban migrants, especially those who entered under humanitarian parole and whose permits have not been renewed.
Her decision has sparked debate about the future that awaits her in Cuba and the possibility that she might regret her return.
While some argue that they could find stability with their family, others warn about the economic and social difficulties that persist on the island.
Recently, the administration of President Donald Trump decided to revoke the legal status of humanitarian parole beneficiaries for thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
This measure, effective from April 24, 2025, affects more than 530,000 individuals who entered the United States under this program since 2023.
According to journalist Wilfredo Cancio on his blog Café Fuerte, most Cubans who entered the country under this program have already applied for or received permanent residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA).
In this context, the CAA takes on special significance for affected Cubans. This law, in effect since 1966, allows Cuban citizens who have been in the U.S. for at least one year and one day to apply for permanent residency.
However, it is estimated that around 26,000 Cubans who arrived after March 2024 still do not meet the requirement of one year of physical presence necessary to benefit from this law, leaving them in a precarious immigration situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Return of Erick Dayan Corcho Aguilar to Cuba
Why did Erick Dayan Corcho Aguilar decide to return to Cuba?
Erick Dayan Corcho Aguilar decided to return to Cuba due to the lack of renewal of his immigration status in the United States, and the fear of being detained and deported. Without a clear path to legalization and in light of Donald Trump's new immigration policy that revokes humanitarian parole, returning to the island emerged as his only viable option.
What is humanitarian parole and how does it affect Cubans?
The humanitarian parole is a migration program that allowed the temporary entry of citizens from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti into the United States for humanitarian reasons. The recent cancellation of this program by the Donald Trump administration has left thousands of Cubans in a migratory limbo, unable to regularize their legal status, increasing the risk of deportation.
What alternatives do Cubans in the U.S. have after the revocation of parole?
Cubans in the U.S. can explore other paths to regularization such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows for permanent residency after one year and one day in the country. They may also consider applying for asylum or an employment visa. However, these alternatives may encounter legal and bureaucratic hurdles.
Filed under:
