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The political asylum hearing of the Cuban activist Oscar Casanella in front of an immigration court in Miami ended this Tuesday without a verdict.
The hearing, which lasted more than six hours—from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—concluded without a definitive resolution, leaving the scientist in a state of legal uncertainty until the next deadline of July 11, the date set by the judge to issue her written ruling.
"I would have wished for an answer today, but the judge needs time. I only offered a minimal part of the pain I experienced," expressed the Cuban opposition figure in statements to the press after leaving the court.
The lawyers from Casanella, present throughout the day, described the trial as lengthy yet fair. “The judge and the prosecutors were generous in listening to the testimony,” they said after the hearing.
However, they emphasized that the decision was postponed to allow time for the analysis of the evidence and the preparation of the formal ruling.
Casanella himself acknowledged feeling well-supported, though disappointed by the lack of an immediate resolution: “I have a lot of information because I lived for many years under repression. What I presented today was not even 10% of what I suffered. It’s something very difficult to express,” he noted.
Casanella, a biochemist and former university professor in Havana, has been one of the prominent voices of the San Isidro Movement and civic activism against the Cuban regime.
His association with figures such as Ariel Ruiz Urquiola and Gorki Águila put him in the crosshairs of State Security since 2013. For years, he was subjected to surveillance, threats, house arrest, and workplace reprisals.
In January 2022, he crossed the southern border of the United States through El Paso, Texas, with his pregnant wife and young child. Unlike other migrants, he did not receive parole, but rather a release with a document I-220A, which left him in legal limbo, without access to essential immigration benefits.
"They didn't even give me the credible fear interview. They just let me go with that paper, and since then, I have had no basic rights. This process has us trapped," she reported in a previous interview.
After the hearing, Casanella expressed gratitude to “the friends who are helping to bring this to light. The response will take weeks,” he wrote on his social media.
The Cuban exile community, along with activists within the island, has strongly called for political asylum to be granted through social media, in recognition of their history of activism and persecution.
The case of Casanella highlights the contradictions of the U.S. immigration system, which provides entry pathways for regime officials while erecting barriers for those who were their victims.
"It is unacceptable that the repressors live freely here while we continue to wait for justice," Casanella denounced in previous statements.
On July 11, the judge is expected to deliver the written verdict. Until then, Casanella, his family, and those who support him will be waiting for a decision that could determine his future in freedom or his possible return to the country where he was pursued.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oscar Casanella's Asylum Case
Why is Oscar Casanella in a migratory limbo in the United States?
Oscar Casanella is in a migratory limbo because, upon crossing the southern border of the United States, he received an I-220A document instead of a parole, which does not grant him basic immigration benefits or the right to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act. This leaves him without access to certain rights and in a situation of legal uncertainty.
What is the reason for Oscar Casanella's political asylum request?
Oscar Casanella seeks political asylum in the United States due to the persecution he faced in Cuba from State Security. He was subjected to surveillance, threats, house arrest, and job reprisals for his activism against the Cuban regime. His association with the San Isidro Movement and opposition figures has put him under the scrutiny of the authorities since 2013.
When is a decision expected regarding Oscar Casanella's asylum case?
The judge overseeing Oscar Casanella's case has set July 11 as the deadline to issue her written verdict. Until then, Casanella and his family will remain waiting for a decision that could determine their future in the United States.
What is the position of the Cuban exile community regarding the case of Oscar Casanella?
The Cuban exiled community and activists within the island have strongly requested that political asylum be granted to Oscar Casanella, acknowledging his history of activism and persecution. They consider it unacceptable that officials of the Cuban regime have immigration privileges while opponents like Casanella face legal obstacles.
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