The immigration lawyer Lisette Sánchez issued a serious warning to the migrant community following the recent detention of a Cuban man at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Tampa, Florida, despite the fact that the man had an order of supervision granted by a judge.
"My client, with whom we fought a very important case last year, won a stay of deportation in Immigration Court and yet today was detained," explained the visibly affected attorney after leaving the federal facilities.
The case has raised concerns among immigrants in similar legal situations, particularly Cubans. The concept of withholding of removal protects a person from being sent back to their home country if they can demonstrate that they would face persecution. However, Sánchez warned that this protection does not ensure full freedom nor does it eliminate other legal risks.
“If you have a withholding of removal, you should call your lawyer before attending a supervision, because you could end up detained and need to be prepared,” he emphasized.
Conditions for illegal immigrants in the United States are worsening
"Things are extremely bad. It doesn't matter your nationality: if you have a deportation order, they can attempt to deport you even to a third country," warned Sánchez. In the case of his client, authorities are considering sending him to Mexico, even though it is not his country of origin.
"We don't know what will happen or where they are going to send him," the lawyer stated, highlighting that these practices are occurring even during routine immigration supervision appointments. "According to what the officer told me today, they will be detaining people under supervision and trying to deport them," she added.
In this scenario, the attorney emphasized the need to act with caution and legal advice. “If you have a withholding of removal and any way to adjust your status, seek a lawyer. And if you don’t, you need a plan B,” she advised.
Sánchez also questioned the coherence of the current immigration system, noting that contradictory decisions are being made in relation to previous judicial rulings.
“It is unfair that a person is not given the opportunity to defend themselves when a judge has already determined that they could stay in this country,” they stated.
His statements concluded with a call for civic participation. "If you are a U.S. citizen, you should think about the upcoming elections to achieve fair regulation and ensure the law is upheld," he expressed.
The case highlights the uncertainty faced by thousands of immigrants under supervision orders in the United States, including those who have obtained some form of legal protection, such as in the case of this Cuban. For many, the fear of being detained at any moment has become an increasingly harsh reality.
"Withholding of removal," the protection against deportation in the U.S.
A protection against deportation does not constitute permanent immigration status, does not provide a pathway to permanent residency, nor does it protect the beneficiary from being detained by ICE. The Cuban was arrested precisely while fulfilling his obligation to check in with immigration authorities.
The agency maintains discretion in arresting and processing the deportation of individuals with this protection, especially under the policies of the current administration.
Data from the American Immigration Council indicates that community arrests increased by 600% during 2025, reflecting an unprecedented tightening of immigration law enforcement at the national level.
This pattern is partly due to the fact that ICE issued a directive instructing its officers to review the cases of individuals under non-detained supervision, with the aim of identifying candidates for re-detention and deportation, including those with temporary protections such as Withholding of Removal.
Cuban deportations have intensified in recent months. Recently, three flights carrying 403 Cubans expelled to Cuba were recorded, a figure that highlights the scale of the ongoing removal operations.
The lawyer urged her followers that any immigrant with pending appointments with ICE should consult a lawyer before appearing, warning that even those who comply with their reporting obligations can be detained without prior notice in the current immigration environment.
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