A Cuban identified as @susaily, a migrant with an I-220A in the United States, posted a video on TikTok expressing her concern about the recent detention of a young Cuban who was arrested by ICE after attending an immigration court appointment. Emotionally affected, she explained that the case hit “very close to home” for her because the young man “grew up in my neighborhood, his mother is a very close friend of mine, his older brother is a good friend of my husband, and they took him when he went to court.”
In her message, she stated that Orlando -Orly as he is known- “is a noble young man, he has a baby, he is a family man, a good brother, a good son, a good husband… not just because I say so, but because the whole community says it.” She also revealed that she and her husband are in the same immigration situation: “I am I-220A, my husband is too. He has a court date. We have a baby. And what they are going through, we can also go through.”
The young woman called on the Cuban community to show solidarity with the case and share the video on social media: “I trust that everyone in my village will share this video. Because we are a united people. We did it once with Roger and the truckers, remember? The processes are unrelated, no, but what matters is where those videos reached, the impact they had.” She added that her intention is to ensure “this video reaches anyone it needs to reach, to the people it should reach, because something has to be done about the I-220A.”
She acknowledged that she lives in fear of Orly's story repeating itself in her family: “Everything that is happening to all Cubans hurts me… I cry with those I do not know because it feels like it could be happening to me, that it could be happening to my husband.”
Her message sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Migrants with I-220A shared messages of support and fear. “My husband, my daughter, my son-in-law, and I are I-220A with a court case... now I have a granddaughter who is a citizen, and that’s the topic in my house,” wrote a woman. Another user recounted that, despite having crossed the same border as her brother and neighbors, they were granted parole while she received I-220A: “So I wonder, what does I-220A consist of?” Several comments echoed the sentiment that “today it was Orly, tomorrow it could be me.”
Voices from outside the immigration process also joined in. A legal resident who has been so for years wrote: “I suffer every day for all the I-220A... everyone deserves a chance.” Another comment stated: “They are treating us like criminals. We are doing things right, paying taxes, and yet we are still in limbo.”
In recent days, Orlando Delgado was arrested after attending his immigration appointment in Broward, Florida. He had applied for political asylum after participating in the July 11 protests in Cuba and reported being monitored and threatened by State Security before emigrating. His only immigration record was the I-220A form, which allows for release on parole but offers no protection against potential deportation. His wife stated that “he cannot go back to Cuba. He was watched, he was threatened, and now they want to send him to Mexico,” in an interview reported by local media.
Precarious conditions and legal obstacles
Legal experts have warned about the fragility of the I-220A status. Attorney Liudmila Marcelo explained to CiberCuba that “cases are being dismissed and people are being detained right there in the courts.” She also reported that some judges have stopped allowing appearances via video call, forcing migrants to present themselves in person, which increases the risk of detention. Marcelo warned about this change in judicial criteria in Miami and Orlando.
In parallel, the new tax legislation pushed by President Trump has significantly increased the costs of immigration procedures. Attorney Willy Allen warned that "the appeal has risen from 110 to 900 dollars, and applying for a waiver can cost up to 2,550 dollars," as stated to this platform.
In detention centers, alarming conditions are also reported. Relatives of Cubans detained in Krome have reported overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and limited access to basic resources. One woman stated that "there are more than 120 people in one room, they have nowhere to sleep, some are sleeping on the floor." These testimonies contradict official statements regarding the detention center.
"Any of us could experience this."
Fear is spreading among thousands of Cubans who share the same immigration status. On TikTok, some have shared that they have been in the country for over three years, working, paying taxes, and without access to a regularization process. “What I couldn't achieve in 47 years in Cuba, I accomplished in three here,” said a migrant, explaining that his son is already receiving university offers, but will not be able to attend if he does not obtain residency.
The message from @susaily, for her part, has channeled that collective sentiment. “The same happened to him, it can be happening to us, and it can happen to anyone,” she said in the video. “The Cuban community, we will support each other. Together we can achieve it.”
Frequently asked questions about I-220A immigration status and the situation of Cuban migrants in the U.S.
What is Form I-220A and what is its implication for Cuban migrants in the U.S.?
The I-220A form is a supervised release document issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to migrants who are awaiting a resolution in their immigration cases. This status does not represent a legal entry nor guarantee immigration benefits, leaving thousands of Cubans in a precarious legal situation and fearful of potential deportations.
Why do some migrants fear attending their immigration appointments in the U.S.?
The fear of attending immigration appointments is due to the fact that some migrants have been arrested after presenting themselves for their appointments with ICE or in court. Detention can occur if the case is dismissed, and migrants do not have protection against deportation, which creates significant uncertainty and fear among the Cuban community with I-220A status.
How does the new tax and immigration legislation affect Cuban migrants with an I-220A?
The new legislations have significantly increased the costs of immigration procedures, which directly impacts Cuban migrants with I-220A. For example, the cost of appealing immigration decisions has risen from 110 to 900 dollars, and applying for a waiver can cost up to 2,550 dollars. These economic barriers further complicate the regularization process for many.
What can Cuban migrants do to protect themselves from immediate deportation?
To protect yourself from immediate deportation, it is recommended to attend immigration appointments with legal representation. An attorney can help appeal adverse decisions and provide guidance on the best course of action. However, it is important to note that legal representation does not always guarantee avoiding detention, but it can offer greater protection in the process.
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