Julio David Pérez Rodríguez, a 22-year-old who had applied for asylum in the U.S., was arrested on Wednesday by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) just as he was leaving the federal immigration court in Miami, when he was about to take the elevator to exit the building.
What began as a simple immigration hearing turned into a nightmare for another Cuban family in Miami.
"They almost forced us to close the case... and when we came out, we saw that the officials were already there, indicating that they should take him away,” said Ivonne Rodríguez, mother of the young man, in remarks collected by Telemundo 51.
“I feel great pain. I never expected that in a free country this would happen, a country where one comes to seek freedom, to be able to live with a little peace”, the woman added, visibly distressed.
The young man's mother stated to the mentioned media that she obtained residency after applying for asylum and complained that Julio David was included in the same case and his outcome is quite different.
The anguish of the young detainee and his mother was evident in a recording that captured the difficult moment.
“Why?, if I haven't done anything”, the young man was heard protesting to the ICE agents as he was being handcuffed.
“One comes here searching for freedom, and the least they are finding is that. I am 22 years old”, Julio David also questioned. The anguish of the Cuban young man's mother is also heard in the video when she told the officers: “but I am a resident and he entered with me.”
The case of Julio David is not isolated. In recent days, an increasing number of migrants, many of whom are Cuban, are experiencing similar arrests by immigration authorities.
According to testimonies from lawyers, pro-immigration activists, and eyewitnesses, the practice of arresting immigrants in the corridors of courts has gained traction in various parts of the country and reflects a more aggressive strategy by ICE to expedite deportation processes.
"They are using a legal but questionable tactic: they propose that immigrants voluntarily close their cases before the judge, and once dismissed, they wait for them in the hallway to arrest them," explained an immigration lawyer who has witnessed several of these incidents to the aforementioned media outlet.
"It's a move that disarms the applicant and leaves them without immediate defense," he added.
Activists who have been present in the courts in recent days describe a troubling coordination between officials inside the courtroom and uniformed officers outside. They assert that the arrests are not random, but rather the result of a calculated operation.
"When the judge dismisses a case, the ICE officials inside communicate with those waiting in the hallway. This is how they catch the immigrant at a moment of vulnerability,” noted a representative from an immigrant rights coalition that monitors court hearings.
These actions represent a reversal of the catch and release policy implemented during the Biden administration. DHS officials maintain that they are reinstating previously overlooked regulations.
Meanwhile, in recent hours, the White House sparked a media storm by posting on its official account on the social network X, inviting people to report undocumented immigrants.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arrests of Cuban Immigrants by ICE in the U.S.
Why was Julio David Pérez Rodríguez arrested after leaving immigration court?
Julio David Pérez Rodríguez was arrested by ICE agents after his case was dismissed in court. This practice, which has become common, involves ICE detaining immigrants in the hallways of the courts following the dismissal of their cases as part of a strategy to expedite deportations.
Is it common for ICE to arrest immigrants in U.S. courts?
Yes, in recent days there has been an increase in the arrest of immigrants at immigration courts in the U.S. by ICE. This practice targets immigrants whose cases have been dismissed, allowing ICE to proceed with expedited deportations without the need for further judicial intervention.
What is the I-220A form and how does it affect Cuban immigrants?
The I-220A form is a "Conditional Release Order" that allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions. However, it does not grant legal status and leaves beneficiaries in an uncertain immigration situation, which has raised concerns about the recent detentions of Cubans holding this document.
How is the deportation policy affecting Cubans in the U.S.?
The current deportation policies are significantly affecting Cubans in the U.S., especially those with I-220A and I-220B forms. The administration has intensified arrests and deportations, causing great concern among Cuban immigrants, who fear being unexpectedly detained during their appointments with ICE.
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