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A Cuban family has been abruptly divided following the deportation of Alían Méndez Aguilar, a 28-year-old young father who lived in North Miami and was sent back to Cuba on April 24.
The case, shared by journalist Javier Díaz, has sparked a wave of solidarity and shock due to its human implications: Méndez is the husband of a Cuban-American, the father of a three-year-old girl, and a key figure in caring for his partner's older son, who suffers from a severe physical and mental disability.
According to Liyian Páez, his wife, the deportation devastated the family and traumatized their little girl: "When she sees a dad picking up a girl, she starts to cry and asks where her dad is," she revealed in tears.
The woman, who supported Donald Trump in the elections, now claims that she feels betrayed by the current immigration policy of the White House and is afraid she won’t be able to support her children on her own.
"I thought they would only deport criminals," she declared to Univisión.
She asserts that her husband has no criminal background and that he was arrested when they both attended an interview as part of their immigration process. "We are good people," she told Javier Díaz.
After the deportation, Liyian and her daughter traveled to Cuba for a few days. The reunion with her father made the little girl happy. "She kept saying, 'daddy, daddy,' and was hugging him, kissing him, as if she didn't understand what was happening, why she hadn't seen her dad," the woman recounted.
Méndez's expatriation, who arrived in the United States in 2019, occurs despite the fact that his family claim process is still pending.
In 2020, he was issued a deportation order that was not executed at the time because the Cuban government refused to receive him. After the established 90 days passed without his repatriation being carried out, he was released under supervision and was able to continue his life in the country.
During these years, he started a family, worked, and took care of them, never having any legal issues.
Today, he faces a new, uncertain, and painful chapter from Cuba, and he has requested legal assistance in an attempt to return, a process that could take years and would require at least two immigration waivers.
Meanwhile, his wife began seeking support from senators and congress members in the hopes that the situation could be resolved.
Like many Cubans who have sought asylum, Méndez was rejected by an increasingly strict system, and now he becomes yet another of the many stories of families separated amid unpredictable immigration policies.
For them, the highest cost has not been legal but emotional: the loss of daily family life, the distress of a child who needs special care, and the confusion of a little girl who doesn't understand why her father is no longer there.
This week, President Donald Trump announced that he will give 1,000 dollars to each illegal immigrant who wishes to return voluntarily to their country of origin.
The proposal, described as "historic" by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), offers this financial incentive to every person who registers and completes the departure process through the government application CBP Home.
Trump explained that if the people who choose to self-deport "are good," his administration will work to "provide them with a path to return," but he emphasized that they must do so within the specified timeframe.
"We're going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from. And they have a period of time," he said. "If we think they are good, that they are the people we want in our country, they will return. We'll give them a slightly easier route."
He also made it clear that there will be consequences for those who do not take this voluntary path: "they will be removed from our country" without the possibility of return and will face harsher measures.
The government claims that this variant offers a "dignified exit" for those living in the country without legal authorization, giving them time to organize their affairs, say goodbye to family members, and avoid detention by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Additionally, self-deportation through the CBP Home application can help preserve "the option to re-enter the United States legally in the future."
This new measure comes after the first 100 days of Trump's second term, during which the administration intensified its immigration crackdown.
According to ICE figures, more than 65,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported, of which 75% had criminal records, including sexual offenses and homicides.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of Alían Méndez Aguilar and U.S. immigration policy.
Why was Alían Méndez Aguilar deported?
Alían Méndez Aguilar was deported to Cuba despite having no criminal record, due to a deportation order issued in 2020. This order was not executed at the time because the Cuban government refused to accept him. However, his deportation took place in April 2025 after a immigration process that failed to protect his asylum application.
What impact has Méndez's deportation had on his family?
The deportation of Alían Méndez has caused significant emotional trauma in his family. His wife and three-year-old daughter have remained in the United States, while Méndez faces an uncertain situation in Cuba. The separation has been especially hard for his daughter, who does not understand why her father is no longer with her, and for his stepson, who requires special care due to his disability.
What legal steps does Alían Méndez need to follow to return to the United States?
Alían Méndez needs to apply for at least two immigration waivers to attempt to return legally to the United States. One for his deportation and another for the time he lived illegally in the country. This legal process is complex and can take between five and ten years, depending on government approval and available legal resources.
What measures is the U.S. government taking for illegal immigrants who wish to voluntarily return to their home countries?
The U.S. government is offering a financial incentive of $1,000 to undocumented immigrants who choose to voluntarily return to their home countries. This program, announced by President Donald Trump, aims to provide a "dignified exit" for those living in the country without legal authorization, allowing them to settle their affairs and avoid detention by ICE. Additionally, they are given the option to retain the possibility of re-entering the U.S. legally in the future.
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