A Cuban with I-220A form shared on social media that he departed from the United States to Mexico through a "voluntary departure" authorized by a judge after spending time in a detention center.
In several Instagram posts, Lázaro Acosta stated that he made the decision to avoid a possible deportation with penalties ranging from 5 to 10 years and to keep the option to return in the future “legally.”
The young man —who claims to have lived nearly four years in the U.S. and has “no criminal record”— recounted that the advice from several lawyers was pessimistic regarding the prospects for individuals detained under that immigration situation, and stated that he chose to request voluntary departure as a “personal” decision, without “urging” others to do the same.
In his testimony, he explained that during his detention, three lawyers “turned their backs” on him, although —according to him— they were honest in saying that they were not having good results in getting detainees out of the centers.
He also stated that he paid 3,000 dollars to a lawyer to manage his voluntary departure, but he described it as the “most wasted” money because, in his opinion, he could have requested it himself before the judge since he has no criminal record.
The Cuban said he keeps in touch with acquaintances who are still detained and that many are desperate and have appealed their cases, a process that —according to him— can take six to ten months and still end in deportation with penalties.
He stated that, in light of the lack of a "solution" for the I-220A issue and promises of dates that "do not happen," he preferred to leave of his own accord.
How was the journey to Mexico and the internal route?
In a second account, Lázaro detailed the process of his transfer. He said that on December 5, he was released and taken by bus to the Hidalgo bridge, the border with Reynosa.
After crossing on foot, he stated that he passed through a checkpoint where his health status was checked (asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, heart issues, among others) and that his belongings were placed in bags for group transport.
He then indicated that he was transported in a van, under the custody of the National Guard, to a nearby migration center where they checked for any belongings and had him sign “six or seven books” with personal information.
He said that there they were given lunch and that the treatment was "very good." Then, he described that they left in escorted buses and that the journey continued through the country until they arrived in Villahermosa (Tabasco), where they were provided with an electronic pass (without receiving a physical document).
According to their account, they were frequently offered food during the journey ("every three or four hours"), along with water and soft drinks.
Subsequently, they were taken to Palenque, where they were "released" in a park, their belongings were returned to them, and they were able to charge their phone and call their family. From there, they bought a bus ticket to Cancun for 8:50 p.m.
Already on the way to Cancun, he reported that at the first checkpoint an officer asked for documents; since they didn't have any, several Cubans were taken down, their photos were taken, and any available documents or passport photos were checked, after which they were allowed to continue.
He said that something similar happened at another checkpoint later on, and that overall the treatment was proper. He finally assured that he arrived in Cancún without any incidents and described it as a "very nice" city.
The Cuban pointed out that with that safe conduct, one can cross “the entire southern part of Mexico”, but cannot head north, and mentioned that he was explained how he would initiate his legal process with COMAR, the office that handles refugees in Mexico.
He also offered to advise others on hotels or hostels, although he clarified that he could not accommodate anyone at his residence.
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