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The young Cuban Beatriz Monteagudo, an immigrant with form I-220A, was released after spending nearly two months detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Monteagudo, 25 years old, was arrested on March 10 during a routine appointment with ICE in Miramar, Florida, and was transferred five days later to the Otay Mesa detention center in San Diego, California.
On May 2, an immigration judge granted him bail, thanks to the efforts of a legal team that took on the case pro bono and the support of family members and donors who helped cover the amount imposed by the court.
The news of her release was shared by the Law Office of Liudmila A. Marcelo, PA, which took on her legal defense pro bono after friends and family started a campaign to hire legal representation.
Thanks to the fundraising organized by friends and supporters, Beatriz's family was able to pay the bail granted by an immigration judge during a hearing held last Friday.
"Beatriz is free today and on her way home, but not because of the efforts of any politician, rather due to the work of our team and true friends and family who did not leave her alone," assured the law firm in a post.
Her case had been previously reported by CiberCuba, when the young woman's mother, Belkis Castillo Méndez, made a desperate plea from Cuba for assistance in hiring a lawyer to prevent her daughter's deportation.
A story marked by uncertainty and family effort
Beatriz is a technician in Medical Sciences. She had submitted her political asylum application and was in the process of obtaining her work permit when she was detained. During her confinement, she was cut off from communication and shared a cell with common prisoners, which caused great concern among her loved ones.
Their financial situation was delicate, and the family had only managed to raise $610 at the time of launching the GoFundMe campaign, an amount insufficient to cover a bail that typically ranges between $3,000 and $12,000.
Her mother tearfully expressed her gratitude for her daughter's release in an emotional message from Cuba. "A mother's gratitude and that of true friends is more valuable than any reward," stated the legal team that handled her defense.
Political reactions and migration context
After the wave of arrests of Cuban women with I-220A, including Beatriz, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar publicly intervened, denouncing the detentions and calling for the ICE to cease these practices.
This Tuesday, Salazar celebrated on his X account the release of eight young Cuban women who were detained in March: "ALL RELEASED!... I won’t stop until I achieve parole in place for everyone."
The arrests of these migrants triggered outrage within the Cuban community in the U.S. and reignited the debate over the treatment of those who, despite being admitted with an I-220A, remain in a migratory limbo.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Release of Beatriz Monteagudo and the Migratory Context of Cubans with I-220A
Who is Beatriz Monteagudo and why was she arrested?
Beatriz Monteagudo is a young Cuban woman who was detained by ICE in March 2025 during a routine appointment in Miramar, Florida, despite having an I-220A form and being in the asylum process. She was transferred to the Otay Mesa detention center in San Diego, California, raising concerns about her legal and economic situation.
What is Form I-220A and what does it mean for Cuban migrants?
The I-220A form, known as "Order of Release on Recognizance," allows for the release of individuals under certain conditions, but does not grant official legal status in the U.S. This leaves beneficiaries in an uncertain situation, as they are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, affecting thousands of Cubans in the country.
How did Beatriz Monteagudo achieve her release and who supported her?
Beatriz Monteagudo was released on bail thanks to the efforts of a legal team that took on her defense at no cost, and to the support of family members and donors who raised the necessary funds to cover the bail set by the immigration judge. The news of her release was shared by the law firm Law Office of Liudmila A. Marcelo, PA.
What role did Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar play in the release of Cuban women detained with I-220A?
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar publicly intervened, denouncing the detentions of Cuban women with I-220A and requested that ICE cease these practices. She celebrated the release of eight young Cuban women detained in March and continues to advocate for a parole in place for all those affected.
What is the current situation of Cuban migrants with I-220A in the United States?
Cuban migrants with an I-220A face an uncertain legal situation, as the document does not guarantee them formal immigration status nor allows them to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act. The Cuban community has expressed concern over the detentions and the legal limbo in which they find themselves, while some lawmakers and attorneys are working to find solutions that will provide them with more secure legal status.
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