The Cuban broadcaster Frank Abel González Bernal, known for his work in the island's official radio and television, broke down in tears upon receiving a deportation notice issued by U.S. immigration authorities.
The host, who currently resides in South Florida, had applied for political asylum after arriving in the country three years ago.
González Bernal, who entered through the southern border with an I-220A form, shared on social media the difficult time he is going through.
In a video shared by the Cuban content channels with which Destinotolk and Fernan_Show collaborate, the former host appears visibly affected and shows the message with the deportation letter.
The case of Frank Abel joins that of thousands of Cubans who, after crossing the border from Mexico to the U.S., received the I-220A form, a document for supervised release that is not considered a legal admission to the country and, therefore, does not allow for eligibility under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Despite having applied for asylum in the city of Tampa, their process has not progressed favorably, and now they face a possible deportation to Cuba.
A class-action lawsuit seeks to recognize the I-220A as a valid document for adjusting immigration status, but the judicial process continues without a definitive solution. In the meantime, many individuals like Frank Abel remain in legal limbo.
Frank Abel González was a prominent figure in Cuban radio and television, known for programs such as "El Exitazo" on Radio Taíno and "De tarde en casa," alongside Raquel Mayedo.
In January 2022, he surprised everyone by arriving in Miami and asking for political asylum, after publicly denouncing that in Cuba, "a professional goes hungry."
"I had my job, but I was starving," he told Univisión 23. His departure from Cuba was discreet and only became known after a welcome post made by Cuban colleagues residing in the U.S.
Frank Abel's arrival in Miami sparked controversy due to alleged past posts on social media in which he supposedly attacked independent journalists and civic movements such as 27N and San Isidro. Although he denied making such comments, some colleagues claimed that they did exist but were later deleted.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of Frank Abel González and the immigration challenges faced by Cubans in the U.S.
Why is Frank Abel González facing deportation in the U.S.?
Frank Abel González is facing deportation because his application for political asylum in the U.S. has not progressed favorably and he received a deportation notice. He entered the country with form I-220A, which is not considered a legal admission, complicating his immigration situation.
What is form I-220A and how does it affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The I-220A form is a document for supervised release granted to some migrants entering the U.S. through the border, but it is not recognized as a legal admission. This means that beneficiaries cannot automatically benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act, leaving them in a migratory limbo and subject to deportation if their asylum applications do not progress favorably.
Are there successful cases of Cubans with I-220A who have managed to regularize their status in the U.S.?
Yes, there are successful cases. For example, a young Cuban named Luis Alberto Naranjo successfully obtained permanent residency after a long wait, demonstrating that it is possible to regularize one's immigration status with patience and adherence to regulations. However, each case is unique and depends on individual factors and the legal context.
What is the current situation for Cubans in the U.S. regarding the I-220A form?
The situation is one of uncertainty and fear of deportation due to new immigration measures that intensify monitoring of immigrants with I-220A. While some manage to advance their asylum cases, others remain in a state of legal limbo with no clear solution in sight.
Filed under:
