Cuban with I-220A recounts what happened during his appointment with ICE in Florida: "I got scared because I wasn't showing up in the system."

A Cuban with an I-220A form shared on TikTok that his routine appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Miramar, Miami, went smoothly without any incidents or detentions, amid the growing fear among other migrants regarding these types of procedures.

The young man, identified as @yanesantos_fotografia on social media, filmed a video from his vehicle shortly after leaving his appointment that took place on June 24th. "Everything is fine, everything is calm," he stated, encouraging other Cubans in similar situations to go without fear.

"I am I-220A with a cut. I just left Miramar at this moment. I didn't hear about anyone being detained. An officer assisted me at the window and had no issues giving me a new appointment for next year," he reported.

The migrant explained that although his alien number did not initially appear in the automated system, he was attended to by an official and was able to complete the process without complications. "There's no fuss or fear-mongering there," he said. His testimony generated over 240 comments, many expressing gratitude, relief, and inquiries from others with pending appointments.

Platforms like TikTok have become key stages where Cuban migrants share their experiences with the U.S. immigration system. Cases like that of @ely9410 in Tampa, @lecaricaber in Orlando, or @maia_jewelry in Houston agree that many appointments go smoothly, although not always without surprises.

@ely9410 reported arriving late to an appointment, but it was rescheduled without serious consequences. @lecaricaber, on the other hand, recounted their first court hearing without a lawyer, successfully obtaining a new date for 2026. In Houston, @maia_jewelry shared that her husband only had to register his information on a machine and received a new date for the following year.

However, other videos reflect the more tense side of the process. In San Antonio, a Cuban woman reported the detention of her husband despite having a court date set for 2027. In Orlando, the user @genesisvanegasj visually documented how some people were arrested during their appointment with ICE.

Legal experts have warned that cases involving I-220A remain highly uncertain. Attorney Liudmila Marcelo recently alerted about the increase in judges in Florida who are rejecting appearances via videoconference, forcing migrants to appear in person, which raises the risk of immediate detention if their case is dismissed.

Another lawyer, Laura Jiménez, advised attending each appointment with legal representation, whether in court or before ICE. She also explained that appeals can protect migrants from expedited deportation, although they do not always prevent detention.

Additionally, cases like that of Elienay Estrada, a Cuban I-220B who managed to avoid immediate deportation because she is the mother of a two-month-old baby, demonstrate that timely intervention by specialized lawyers can make a significant difference.

Beyond the immigration process, many testimonies reflect the pain and determination of those who left their lives in Cuba behind. A young woman identified as @layalorditadanita stated, “I left fleeing that dictatorship. I have no desire to go back. I came to build my life in a country of freedoms.”

Others, like @kiry_ge, reported that even after waiting for more than a year, their residency has been denied on the grounds that the I-220A does not represent a legal entry. This legal ambiguity keeps thousands of Cubans in limbo, without full access to legalization processes.

In this context, testimonies like that of the Cuban in Miramar not only inform but also provide hope.

Frequently Asked Questions about the I-220A Immigration Process for Cubans in the United States