A Cuban mother reported this Tuesday, amid tears, the detention of her husband by ICE agents in Houston , Texas, amidst a surge in immigrant arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
In a heartbreaking video, Alexa Batista recounted that her husband attended a routine appointment with ICE and the authorities demanded that “one of them had to stay” at the office, while the other had to leave with the children and return one day without them.
The woman claims, distressed, that she was given an appointment for November 6 and that they did not inform her what will happen with her partner. “They treat me like a dog... they didn't even let me speak,” she can be heard saying.
According to the testimony, at the time of the arrest, several migrants were already handcuffed, and after the family was separated, she was told that she had to leave with the minors and return on the specified date.
“They don’t care if one has children… they don’t believe in anyone”, the mother cries out in anguish, pleading with her husband to “come out through that door.”
The woman reports that she became unable to drive due to the tremors in her hands and said she was waiting for someone she knew to pick her up, while repeating that she "has no life" after what happened.
“So much work we went through to get here… I almost died at sea,” she says, denouncing the treatment she received and the lack of information regarding her husband’s whereabouts and legal situation.
The forced separation and lack of information triggered an emotional crisis in this Cuban mother, who claims she was instructed to return without her children in November while her husband remains detained.
The case highlights the opacity of these procedures and their immediate human impact.
Another similar case shook social media recently when Mariela Baullosa's husband was detained in San Antonio, Texas.
Alberto Martínez, 30 years old and also Cuban, attended a routine appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and never came out.
Alberto arrived in the United States in 2022 after crossing the Rio Grande and surrendering to immigration authorities. According to his wife, he has no criminal record, had a work permit valid until 2030, and was in the process of regularizing his status through marriage to Mariela, who is a legal resident.
Despite this, he remains in ICE custody at a detention center in Texas, awaiting a scheduled hearing on October 29.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cubans by ICE in the U.S.
Why is ICE detaining Cubans during routine immigration appointments?
ICE has intensified the detention of Cuban immigrants during routine immigration appointments as part of a shift in immigration policies aimed at reinforcing law enforcement. The lack of transparency and discretion in the procedures has created uncertainty and fear among the affected families.
What impact do these detentions have on Cuban families?
Detentions by ICE are causing significant emotional distress and family separation, deeply affecting Cuban families. These actions leave mothers and children in a vulnerable situation, without the support of their detained loved ones.
What legal options do Cubans detained by ICE have?
Detained individuals by ICE can file appeals or seek legal assistance to attempt to halt their deportation. However, the process can be complicated and requires support from attorneys specializing in immigration.
What is the legal situation of Cuban detainees who do not have criminal records?
Many Cubans detained by ICE have no criminal records and are in the process of regularizing their status. Despite meeting all legal requirements, they face a risk of deportation due to the strict interpretation of current immigration laws.
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