The U.S. government's decision to deny asylum and order the deportation of former Cuban judge Melody González Pedraza has sparked a wave of reactions among Cuban-American politicians, who hailed the measure as a victory for justice and a strong step against the impunity of the regime's oppressors.
Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar strongly expressed her support for the immigration decision.
"Out with the henchmen of Castroism outside the United States! We will not allow the accomplices of the Cuban dictatorship to hide among those who truly fled from its repression. This is just the beginning. Today, those oppressed by this collaborator of Castroism receive a measure of justice. Zero refuge for the executioners of the regime," he wrote on his official account on X.
For his part, Florida Congressman Carlos A. Giménez stated that it was good news.
"#SOSCuba Good news! The repressive judge Melody González, who sentenced opponents and human rights activists in #Cuba, will be returned to the island as the henchwoman she has always been. These scoundrels have no place in the USA!" she underscored.
The decision was confirmed by the automated system of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
An immigration judge in Pompano Beach, Florida, ruled on May 21 that Melody González Pedraza must leave the country, following a protracted and controversial process regarding her immigration status.
The former judge arrived in the country with humanitarian parole in June of last year but was detained upon arriving at Tampa airport. Since then, she has been involved in a process in which she requested asylum, citing fear of persecution if she returned to Cuba.
However, her record as a member of the Cuban judicial system, where she allegedly convicted several opponents without procedural guarantees, was decisive for the judge to deny her request.
González has until June 20 to appeal the order to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
The news was received with relief by exiles and victims of Cuban repression. Samuel Rodríguez, an activist based in the U.S. and one of those who claims to have been a direct victim of González, stated on social media that "asylum is deserved by the repressed, not the repressors. Today justice was served in this great country."
In a live broadcast, Rodríguez stated that the former judge has little chance of reversing the decision in the appeal process.
Melody González served as a criminal judge in Cuba and has been pointed out for her involvement in political trials in which, according to human rights organizations, she issued sentences under pressure from the Communist Party and State Security.
Testimonies and reports link her to the conviction of four young people for attempted attack, without conclusive evidence, who remain in prison.
Although the former judge reportedly admitted to having acted under political pressure, she has not shown any public signs of remorse.
The case of González Pedraza adds to a series of similar situations in which former officials of the Cuban regime are trying to settle in the U.S., hiding their history as collaborators of the repressive apparatus.
The pressure on the immigration authorities has increased, demanding greater controls and background checks.
The attorney Wilfredo Allen, cited by Martí Noticias, warned that if the appeal is denied or not filed, the former judge will be forcibly deported and will have no legal recourse to remain in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of the Former Cuban Judge Melody González
Why was Melody González's deportation ordered?
The deportation of Melody González was ordered due to her history as a judge in Cuba, where she allegedly participated in political trials without due process guarantees, condemning opponents of the regime. Her asylum application in the United States was denied, as her past as a repressive official was a decisive factor in the immigration judge's decision.
What reactions did the deportation order provoke among Cuban-American politicians?
The deportation order for Melody González was celebrated by Cuban-American politicians such as María Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Giménez, who viewed the measure as a strong step against the impunity of the regime's repressors in Cuba. Both congress members stated that collaborators of the Castro regime should not find refuge in the United States.
Can Melody González appeal the deportation decision?
Melody González has the option to appeal the deportation order to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) before June 20. If the appeal is denied or not filed, she will face forced deportation and will have no legal means to remain in the United States.
What actions have Cuban exiles taken in relation to Melody González?
Cuban exiles have reacted with relief to the deportation decision regarding Melody González, viewing it as a form of justice for the victims of repression in Cuba. Activists like Samuel Rodríguez emphasized that asylum should be granted to the oppressed, not to the oppressors, and have expressed skepticism about the chances of success in her appeal.
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