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A Cuban man who has been at the Tacoma Detention Center in Washington state for two months, under the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reports serious conditions of confinement, along with health complications that threaten his life.
Yefferson Lázaro García Purón, 27 years old, participated in the protests on July 11, 2021, in Havana.
Fearing he would end up in prison, he left the Island and traveled through several countries until he reached the southern border of the United States, where in August 2022 he obtained a parole that allowed him to enter the country.
However, according to his girlfriend, Yaricel Salgado, the young man had legal troubles and decided to postpone his application for permanent residency for fear that his record would impact the process.
That decision left him exposed, and in May he was arrested by ICE for his irregular immigration status.
"After a while, she faced legal issues with the authorities and, although she had the option to apply for permanent residency, she decided to wait out of fear that her case might be a reason to deny her residency," Yaricel, who lives in Canada, told Periódico Cubano.
The situation of Yefferson Lázaro became even more complicated on July 7, when he appeared before an immigration court.
According to Salgado, the judge did not allow him to speak. Furthermore, the lawyers did not adequately defend his case, leaving him at a disadvantage.
A new hearing is scheduled for August 4th, but he doesn't have too much hope.
During his time in prison, García Purón has experienced a severe physical deterioration. He suffers from hypertension, heart conditions, and episodes of high blood pressure that have required hospital visits. He also has severe swelling in his mouth, partial collapse of his right eye, and has been diagnosed with a heart murmur.
Amidst these medical problems, the young man claims he receives only one meal a day, consisting of "bread with hot pepper" or, on occasions, boiled carrots.
García Purón has also expressed distress for his two young daughters, aged four and seven, who live in Cuba and could be left orphaned if his condition worsens.
Another cause for concern is the transfer of several Cubans held by ICE to Alaska, which presents greater legal and emotional hurdles for those trying to stay close to their family members. He fears he may be one of the next.
The case of this Cuban once again sparks the debate over the treatment of immigrants detained in ICE centers and the legal and humanitarian protections for those fleeing repressive contexts.
Its story not only reflects the difficulties of the Cuban exile, but also the challenges that the U.S. immigration system faces in handling vulnerable cases.
Frequently asked questions about the detention and conditions of Cubans in ICE facilities
What are the detention conditions that Yefferson Lázaro García Purón reports at the ICE center?
Yefferson Lázaro García Purón reports that at the Tacoma Detention Center he receives only one meal a day, consisting of bread with hot sauce, in addition to suffering from serious physical deterioration and medical issues without proper care. His case reflects the precarious conditions and mistreatment in ICE detention centers, where detainees often lack medical attention or basic living conditions.
Why was Yefferson Lázaro García Purón arrested by ICE?
Yefferson Lázaro García Purón was arrested by ICE due to his irregular immigration status. Although he had the option to apply for permanent residency, he chose to postpone the process out of fear that his history would affect his application. This decision left him vulnerable to detention, which occurred in May 2025.
What are the main health issues that García Purón faces in the detention center?
García Purón faces hypertension, heart conditions, and episodes of high blood pressure that have led him to the hospital multiple times. He also suffers from severe swelling in the mouth, a partial collapse of the right eye, and a heart murmur, complications that put his life at risk and are not being adequately addressed at the detention center.
How does the detention affect the families of Cubans detained by ICE?
The detention of Cubans by ICE creates great distress for their families, who face separation and uncertainty about the future of their loved ones. Detention cases in ICE centers often leave families in a precarious emotional and economic situation, especially when the detainee is the primary breadwinner of the household.
What does the relocation of detainees to places like Alaska imply?
The transfer of detainees to distant locations like Alaska complicates access to legal defense and hinders contact with their families, increasing the emotional and legal obstacles for those seeking to stay close to their loved ones. These relocations may be a strategy by ICE to discourage immigrants from fighting their cases due to isolation and logistical difficulties.
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