Laura Yanet García, a young resident of Jacksonville, offered a heartbreaking testimony about the detention this Tuesday of her husband, a Cuban with I220-A, by ICE agents in the city of Orlando.
García urged those going through a similar situation to share their stories on social media to unite as a community and make their voices heard.
“I urge you to please share your story. Let's make this more viral than it already is, let's fight for our rights. It's not about finding a culprit, it's about coming together as the Latino community we are, having fled from what we had back home”, said during an intervention on TikTok.
“We came here to work, to grow, to create a future for our children, for ourselves. What they are doing to us is an injustice. I urge you to share your story,” he added.
The court hearing and the detention
In the case of Laura Yanet's husband, the arrest took place - as has become customary - at the courthouse exit, marking his first immigration court appearance since arriving in the United States.
Her partner is a Cuban with I220-A whose asylum case was dismissed this Tuesday.
visibly affected, Laura Yanet described in an initial video on the aforementioned social network how the events unfolded in the room.
He explained that the judge first addressed the cases with lawyers and then proceeded with those that did not have representation, and it was their first court appearance.
“What did the judge do? He scheduled five or six for 2026. What happened next? He told those sitting next to him in English that everyone else in the room was on ‘the list’.” The young woman noted, “I speak a little English and I understood what he said, and it seemed very odd to me.”
Laura Yanet García specified that the case against the next person has already been dismissed. They told him that the government had the right to do that, and that he could appeal.
“Then she proceeded to do that with the next four, until my husband arrived. Every time someone opened the door, the ICE officers were outside,” she said, broken with pain.”
"When we left, they dismissed my husband's case as well, there were about four or five ICE officers and they took him away, and I told them please not to do it, that we have a one-year-old daughter, that we are from Jacksonville and are in Orlando and that we had no way to get back because he is the one who drives, I don't drive," the young woman recounted.
"The ICE is doing whatever it wants."
Laura Yanet said that the officers treated her well, that they were "very condescending," but they told her that they could not do anything, that it was not up to them.
They told her that they might call her today to find out what was happening and what decision they were going to make.
"My husband pays his taxes, has his work permit, has his political asylum perfectly in place, has no criminal record, absolutely nothing, he is an exemplary citizen as they say, and yet they dismissed his case for being on a famous list," she lamented.
"Where did they get the list? What's going on? Where is the freedom, the country that talks so much about freedom? Weren't they just going after the criminals? As far as I know, neither I nor many of those in that room are criminals," he complained.
“The ICE is doing whatever it wants, so be careful,” he concluded.
In a second video, now calmer, the young woman expressed her gratitude for the support she received from many people.
She recounted that her husband called her on the phone but that he had not yet been processed and they hadn’t told her why he was detained; the only thing she knew was that they were going to take him to Miami.
Laura Yanet says that she has been trying to find lawyers, but they can't do anything until he is settled in a place, until they can go there and handle everything regarding the process: bail or appeal, which is within a 30-day period.
“It wasn't a deportation order, but the situation is indeed difficult,” he admitted.
The case adds to a growing and painful list of separated, broken, and desperate families, each with an emotional story to tell.
However, the expectations are not good.
Despite the widespread public outcry over the restrictive immigration policy of the Trump Administration, despite ongoing lawsuits and the endless list of executive orders blocked by judges... the fact is that the inclination from the U.S. government remains clear: deportation or self-deportation as the ultimate goal.
In the face of that bleak outlook, some have chosen to give up, but others have decided to stand firm and fight until the very end.
A new directive: Deportations without a hearing
The root of this new practice lies in a memo issued in January by the DHS, which instructs agents to consider expedited deportations for individuals who have been in the country for less than two years.
"Take all necessary measures to review the case of the foreigner and consider, in exercising your discretion, whether to apply expedited deportation. This may include the termination of pending processes," states the document.
This measure, combined with a recent decision by the agency that oversees immigration appeals, allows for the mandatory detention of new arrivals, including those who entered under humanitarian programs such as humanitarian parole.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrests of Cuban Immigrants by ICE and the I-220A Process
What is Form I-220A and what does it mean for Cuban immigrants?
The I-220A form allows immigrants, including many Cubans, to be released on supervision while awaiting a resolution in their immigration cases. This status does not equate to legal entry nor does it grant immigration benefits, creating a fragile legal situation. Holders can be detained at any time, especially under recent stricter ICE policies.
Why is ICE detaining Cuban immigrants after their asylum hearings?
Recently, ICE has adopted a detention strategy that involves arresting immigrants after their cases are dismissed or following asylum hearings, as part of a stricter deportation policy. This can happen even if the individual has no criminal record and has met all legal requirements. The practice has been denounced by lawyers and activists as a violation of due process.
How can Cuban immigrants protect themselves from potential detentions by ICE?
Immigrants can take various measures to protect themselves, such as seeking appropriate legal advice, staying informed about their rights, and documenting the entire immigration process. It is important to attend all scheduled appointments and meet the requirements of the I-220A status. Additionally, sharing experiences on social media and seeking community support can be helpful in being prepared and responding to unexpected situations.
What is the impact of recent immigration policies on Cuban immigrants in the U.S.?
Recent immigration policies under the Trump administration have tightened measures against immigrants, including the elimination of the "catch and release" program. This has led to an increase in deportations and detentions, primarily affecting immigrants who have arrived in the last two years. Uncertainty and fear among the immigrant community have grown, complicating their integration and stability in the U.S.
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