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A Cuban family has launched a touching campaign on GoFundMe to prevent the deportation of Randy Mesa Padrón, a young barber who was arrested by immigration authorities after attending, as required, an appointment related to his political asylum process.
The initiative, titled “Let's Help Randy”, has managed to raise over $5,000 in just a few days, which represents 72% of the goal set to cover the legal expenses of his defense.
The organizer, his wife Roxana Peguero, has requested the community's support to prevent Randy, who is 30 years old, from being returned to Cuba, where he fears for his safety and future.
"If you know Randy or are close to someone in his family, you know he is an extremely kind boy, a good friend, one of those who doesn't make a fuss but is always there," the campaign begins.
Randy arrived in the United States through the border in February 2022, hoping to build a new life. However, he received a I-220A form, which placed him under supervised release, but without the ability to present his asylum case before a judge.
This migratory status, heavily criticized by human rights organizations, has left hundreds of Cubans in legal limbo, as it is neither considered legal admission nor "parole," and therefore they cannot benefit from the Adjustment Act.
Now, Randy is detained by ICE, and his family fears that he could be deported at any moment.
Last Tuesday, the judge overseeing his case dismissed his asylum petition without hearing it, and minutes later he was arrested and taken to a detention center in Pompano Beach, Broward County.
"They are picking up everyone. They don't care about anything", reported to CiberCuba his wife, who is also from Pinar del Río and a legal resident through the Cuban Adjustment Act. With tears in her eyes, she recounted that Randy had gone to court with his lawyer, hoping to make progress in his case. "They are clipping our wings", she lamented.
“We are doing everything we can to stop their deportation and resume their legal process,” explains Roxana. “If you can help in any way, whether by sharing this cause or simply contributing your energy, we will be truly grateful. Every little bit counts.”
In the first 24 hours in ICE custody, agents pressured him to sign his voluntary self-deportation to Cuba. Randy refused. According to his family, they warned him that if he did not sign, he would be transferred to a detention center in another state and deported anyway, because he already has an expedited deportation order.
"An official told him that it comes from above, that the president signed to massively close the courts and facilitate deportations. This is how they want to achieve the figures the government has set," his sister, Dainerys Mesa, recounted.
A barber by profession, he had never received a fine and dreamed of opening his own barbershop in Miami. He was married to his childhood sweetheart, and together they had started saving dollar by dollar to buy a house and begin a new life.
"She is a role model for living in any country in the world," her sister pointed out.
Randy's story resonates deeply within the Cuban community, shaped by uprooting, the struggle to rebuild life in exile, and the ongoing uncertainty of the immigration process. The campaign has already received over 100 donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Randy Mesa's Deportation and the GoFundMe Campaign
Why is Randy Mesa Padrón facing deportation in the United States?
Randy Mesa Padrón is facing deportation because his asylum application was closed without being heard in court. Randy arrived in the United States in 2022 and was granted an I-220A form, which placed him under supervised release, but did not allow him to defend his asylum case before a judge. The lack of resolution in his immigration process has put him at risk of deportation.
What is Form I-220A and why is it problematic for Cuban migrants?
The I-220A form is a supervised release order issued by U.S. immigration authorities. This document is not considered a legal admission or a "parole," which creates complications for eligibility under the Cuban Adjustment Act and obtaining permanent residency. Many Cuban migrants with this status face a legal limbo and the risk of deportation.
How is the Cuban community helping Randy Mesa through GoFundMe?
The Cuban community is supporting Randy Mesa through a GoFundMe campaign called "Let's Help Randy". This initiative has raised over $5,000, which is equivalent to 72% of the goal set to cover his legal defense expenses. The campaign aims to stop his deportation and resume his legal process.
What role does the current administration of the United States play in the deportation cases of Cubans with I-220A?
The current administration of the United States has tightened immigration policies, particularly impacting Cubans with form I-220A. Reports indicate that authorities are massively closing asylum cases, which simplifies deportations. This strategy has intensified under the administration of Donald Trump, creating fear and uncertainty among Cuban migrants.
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