Randy Mesa Padrón, a young barber who was arrested by immigration authorities after attending an appointment related to his political asylum case, recounted the detention process by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a series of audio recordings sent to the independent media El Toque, Mesa Padrón recounted that on June 3rd, he attended his second asylum hearing, during which the judge dismissed his case without even hearing the lawyer's arguments.
Having been ordered to sit and wait, he only received the verdict of dismissal of his case. Subsequently, he was detained in the courthouse hallway by ICE officers.
"Just as we stepped out, the officers were waiting in the hallway, and there they handcuffed me and took me through the back, via the elevator, and put me in a car, in a van, along with five other people," said the 30-year-old young man.
According to his testimony, when he arrived for his appointment, there were no immigration agents present, and the judge instructed him to wait. Shortly after, when the ICE officers arrived, he was processed and his case was denied. From this, he concludes that the detention was prearranged.
"That is, they were waiting for the officers to be there to call us. Everything was already set up," she stated.
The young man claims to be in what seems to be a depressive state and amidst great uncertainty: "I have been in a very bad mood, because I am not a criminal to be in here imprisoned (...) I had already been in this country for three years and four months, I had already been processed when I crossed the border, there was no reason to do this to me again."
"After such a long time, being here in this country, doing things the right way, going to all the courts, without a criminal record, working with all the paperwork, with permissions, can you imagine, and they treat us like prisoners," the barber described.
Randy remains locked in a cell, and the experience is far from what he lived when he entered through the border.
"Nothing to compare with what I experienced at the beginning at the border, which was like a camp; it was a cell, but of minimum security, for transit. It’s not meant for us to be put here in a prison," he concluded.
Randy arrived in the United States through the border in February 2022, hoping to build a new life. However, he received an I-220A form, which left him free on supervision, but without the ability to present his asylum case before a judge.
This was the second court that Mesa attended, married to his girlfriend from Cuba, who is already a resident through the Cuban Adjustment Act. Despite having a family petition in progress, Randy was detained at a center in Pompano Beach, Broward County.
In the first 24 hours under ICE custody, agents pressured him to sign his voluntary self-deportation to Cuba, which Randy refused. According to his family, they warned him that if he did not sign, he would be moved to a detention center in another state and deported anyway, as he already has an expedited deportation order.
The young man's wife, Roxana Peguero, launched a fundraising campaign titled "Let's Help Randy" to cover the legal expenses of his defense, hoping that he will not be sent back to the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cuban Migrants by ICE
Why was Randy Mesa Padrón arrested by ICE?
Randy Mesa Padrón was arrested by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the dismissal of his asylum case in court. Without hearing his attorney's arguments, the judge closed his case, and upon leaving, he was detained along with others, suggesting that the arrest was premeditated.
What is form I-220A and how does it affect Cuban migrants?
The I-220A form is a supervised release order issued by U.S. immigration authorities. An important feature of this document is that it is not considered a legal admission or "parole", which prevents migrants from benefiting from the Cuban Adjustment Act. This situation leaves many Cubans in a legal limbo, as is the case with Randy Mesa Padrón.
What measures can a migrant detained by ICE take to avoid deportation?
In cases of detention by ICE, it is crucial to seek legal advice immediately to explore available options. An immigration attorney can assist in requesting a "credible fear" hearing or attempt to halt deportation through legal remedies. The community can also support through fundraising campaigns to cover legal expenses, as was done in the case of Randy Mesa.
What is the stance of the authorities and lawyers regarding the mass arrests of migrants with I-220A?
Immigration lawyers and activists have described these mass detentions as "a significant violation of many rights." Authorities, on their part, have adopted a rapid deportation strategy, dismissing cases in court and arresting migrants as they exit. This practice has faced criticism for being deemed legal yet questionable, and it is fostering an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among migrants.
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