The arrest of a close relative of the Cuban opposition figure Eliécer Ávila in a migration detention center in the United States has sparked a clash on the Internet between him and the Uruguayan activist Carlos Eduardo Espina, one of the most followed voices in the Latin community on immigration issues.
Espina shared on Instagram a video that showcases the apparent contradiction between Ávila's defense of Donald Trump's policies and the difficult situation his family is currently facing.
"Another Trump-supporting Cuban who has lost his smile," he wrote, before showing images of the Cuban celebrating Trump's victory in the elections and contrasting them with a current video in which he recounts the detention of his brother-in-law.
Eliécer described his relative as "the most noble, hardworking, altar boy of a person, truck driver," and lamented that when he entered the country, he was given an I-220B document.
"He was arrested at his court hearing and is in jail. My sister's husband, in an immigration detention center," she detailed in the video shared by Espina.
The Uruguayan, an outspoken critic of Trump, insisted that what happened was predictable.
"Everyone knew that this is what would happen if Donald Trump won: a brutal hunt against all Latinos regardless of nationality," he pointed out.
"Many of these Cuban commentators thought they were untouchable, there they were supporting Papi Trump. And now look at how things turned out for them. Let's see if now they learn to have a bit more empathy," she emphasized.
Ávila's response was swift. In another video, he reaffirmed his support for the Republican leader.
"Today, I support President Trump more than I did on the day he won the election. I don’t vote with my gut or with my pancreas; I vote with my mind. And if even the tiniest corner of that package affects someone in my family, I cannot, for the exception, condemn the rule," he expressed.
The Cuban opposition figure recalled that the migration order against his brother-in-law was issued by the Democratic administration.
"What is an I-220B? It is a deportation order. And who gave it to my sister's husband? Your president Biden!" she replied to Espina, even challenging him to a public debate.
The intersection between the two reflects not only the tensions within the Cuban and broader Latin migrant community but also the political divisions among those who, despite sharing the experience of migration, interpret the consequences of U.S. policies differently.
Espina, an up-and-coming activist
Carlos Eduardo Espina, a Uruguayan raised in Texas, has become a key figure in the defense of immigrants.
With over 6.8 million followers on TikTok and more than 455,000 on Instagram, she combines her background in Political Science and Law with outspoken activism against Trump's policies and the conservative sectors that support them.
His direct speech and his confrontations with figures like Alexander Otaola or Ávila himself have garnered him significant attention on social media.
For Espina, the case of Ávila's brother-in-law is an example of the consequences of supporting immigration measures that, in his opinion, always end up harming Latino communities indiscriminately.
What does an I-220B mean?
The document received by Ávila's brother-in-law, known as I-220B (Order of Release on Recognizance), does not grant legal status but provides a temporary release on parole while the deportation or asylum process continues.
It is a resource commonly used by ICE with migrants who are not considered a flight risk or a security threat (usually given to Cuban rafters).
But while it allows the person to wait in freedom, it does not protect them from deportation, and in practice, it often leads to expulsion processes.
A growing controversy
In September, Eliécer expressed his dissatisfaction with the deportation of another fellow citizen, Deivy Alemán Oropesa, who was also in ICE custody.
He then questioned the lack of sensitivity in the U.S. immigration system: "Is there really no one in the United States who can assess a case? (...) With so many criminals, informants, and repressors roaming this country, why is Deivy the target?"
Meanwhile, Espina continues to consolidate his profile as an immigrant rights activist, taking a critical stance against those who support Trump while simultaneously denouncing when their own family members or friends are caught up in the same immigration system they applauded.
The discursive clash between both sides confirms that immigration policy in the United States not only divides Republicans and Democrats, but also the very Latin communities that experience it firsthand.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of a relative of Eliécer Ávila and migration tensions
Why was Eliécer Ávila's brother-in-law arrested by ICE?
Eliécer Ávila's brother-in-law was detained by ICE due to a deportation order (I-220B). This document is a release on parole while immigration proceedings continue, but it does not provide protection against deportation. The detention occurred during an appointment at the immigration court in the United States.
What is a deportation order I-220B?
A I-220B is a deportation order that does not grant legal status in the United States. It allows a person to be released while awaiting the outcome of their immigration case, but it usually ends in removal proceedings. It is commonly used by ICE for migrants who are not considered a security or flight risk.
What was Eliécer Ávila's response to Carlos Espina's criticisms?
Eliécer Ávila reaffirmed his support for Donald Trump despite the arrest of his brother-in-law, arguing that his backing is based on reasoning rather than emotions. Ávila recalled that the immigration order was issued under the Democratic administration of Joe Biden.
What is Carlos Espina's position on Trump's immigration policies?
Carlos Espina is a vocal critic of Donald Trump's immigration policies. He argues that these policies harm Latino communities indiscriminately and that detentions like that of Ávila's brother-in-law are examples of the consequences of these measures.
How does the immigration policy of the United States affect the Latino community?
The immigration policy of the United States has generated divisions both between Republicans and Democrats as well as within the Latino community itself. The tightening of policies under the Trump administration has led to deportations and detentions that affect migrants seeking a better life in the country.
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