Cuban father in Florida receives deportation order from ICE despite his daughter's illness

Deivy Alemán must leave the U.S. before September 14, even though his daughter needs heart surgeries. The case highlights ICE's harshness in humanitarian situations.

Deivy Alemán with his daughterPhoto © Facebook / Yisel Miguel Sarduy

The Cuban Deivy Alemán Oropesa, who has been residing in Florida for seven years, is facing a challenging situation after receiving a deportation order from the United States, despite the fact that his youngest daughter suffers from a serious heart condition and requires further open-heart surgeries.

The journalist Javier Díaz reported on Facebook that Alemán Oropesa attended a routine appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 8, where he was informed that he must leave the country voluntarily by no later than September 14.

The decision leaves her family in a limbo full of uncertainty, which could include a painful separation.

"A sad case where it doesn't matter at all if you have humanitarian reasons or if you are an exemplary migrant; if you have a deportation order, you will be deported," emphasized Díaz.

The story of the Cuban was revealed weeks ago when it was reported that his daughter had undergone three open-heart surgeries and still requires additional medical procedures.

The wife takes care of the youngest child while he works to support the family. His deportation, the journalist warns, would mean the loss of economic support amidst a complex and costly medical process.

In a subsequent post, Díaz added: “Friends, a sad decision for the Cuban Davy Alemán Oropesa… he went to a routine appointment and was told that by the 14th at the latest, he must leave the United States.”

Facebook Capture / Javier Díaz

The reporter also highlighted that Alemán Oropesa has no criminal record and that his only "offense" was entering irregularly through the border, and he is now free with a deportation order that is currently being enforced.

The voluntary departure order means that if you do not leave the territory by the specified date, you may be arrested at any time and taken to a detention center, waiting for forced deportation.

The case has sparked displays of solidarity on social media, where many users are questioning ICE's lack of sensitivity towards humanitarian situations of this nature.

It is paradoxical that the decision was announced precisely on September 8th, the Day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba, which adds a painful and symbolic nuance for the migrant and their family.

Yisel Miguel Sarduy, wife of Alemán Oropesa, expressed her gratitude on social media for the concern shown by others and warned that the situation at the ICE office in Orlando has been complicated and difficult for several families.

He also stated that it is a very difficult situation and that they had hoped the authorities would accept the case by presenting evidence of the child's medical situation and halting the deportation; "it was all for nothing," he pointed out.

This Cuban family decided to turn to the Change.org platform to launch a campaign in defense of Deivy Alemán Oropesa. The initiative seeks citizen support to stop a measure that would seriously endanger the life and well-being of their minor daughter, who is affected by a complex heart condition.

The petition emphasizes that Deivy has lived in the United States for more than seven years, with no criminal record and in compliance with all laws. Additionally, his family has an approved I-130 petition, which demonstrates that he has followed the legal channels to regularize his status. However, ICE is requiring him to leave the country by September 14, disregarding the humanitarian circumstances surrounding his case.

Stories like that of Alemán Oropesa reflect the situation of thousands of Cubans in the United States who, even after years of residency, still live under the shadow of deportation orders.

For them, legal resources are exhausted, and daily life is marked by uncertainty.

For now, the family awaits a resolution that will allow them to stay together and ensure the child's medical care. However, time is running out: the deadline given by ICE to leave the country is September 14.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Deivy Alemán Oropesa and Cuban Migrants in the U.S.

Why is Deivy Alemán Oropesa facing deportation in the U.S.?

Deivy Alemán Oropesa is facing deportation because he received an I-220B form, a supervision order for individuals with a final deportation order. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having a daughter with urgent medical needs, under the current administration, humanitarian factors are not being considered as they once were.

What legal options does Deivy Alemán have to avoid deportation?

Immigration attorney Rosaly Chaviano suggests that marriage to a U.S. citizen and the critical health of her daughter could be factors to consider in a legal process. However, the current administration is not prioritizing these humanitarian factors, which is why the family has sought the intervention of congressmen or senators.

What impact does deportation have on Cuban families in the U.S.?

Deportation has a devastating impact on Cuban families, separating parents from their children and leaving families without their main economic support. The emotional and psychological trauma is significant, especially for the children who witness their parents being detained and expelled from the country.

How does the tightening of immigration policies affect Cuban migrants in the U.S.?

The tightening of immigration policies in the U.S. has led to an increase in the arrests of Cuban migrants, including those with no criminal record and who have active legal processes. Many of these arrests occur during routine immigration appointments, creating fear and uncertainty within the migrant community.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.