Immigration lawyer Liudmila Marcelo issued a direct warning this Wednesday to Cubans attempting to reach the United States by sea: "Those who touch land illegally will be detained, subjected to a credible fear interview, and very likely deported," she said on her weekly program on CiberCuba with journalist Tania Costa.
The trigger was a comment in the chat of a live broadcast, where a user identified as 'Mandrake' reported having seen news about a boat leaving Pinar del Río with Cubans, presumably heading to the United States.
"Right now, entering the United States illegally, whether by land or sea, means that if you set foot on land, well, you will be apprehended and subjected to a credible fear interview, and you might be deported. It is highly likely that you will not be able to apply for asylum," the lawyer warned.
Marcelo also pointed out that a asylum case could only be pursued if the person arriving by raft or boat can demonstrate that at the moment they boarded the vessel, they were being pursued by State Security and their life was in real danger.
The outlook for those seeking international protection has become increasingly bleak. According to recent data, the asylum approval rate dropped to 7% during the current administration, a figure that reflects the tightening of immigration policies.
The situation is particularly critical for Cubans, as Cuba was excluded from the resumption of political asylum reviews, leaving migrants from the island in an even more vulnerable position with respect to U.S. immigration authorities.
The consequences for those who attempt the journey can be devastating. One case that illustrates this reality is that of a Cuban in Orlando who was deported to a third country, a situation that has become more common in the current context.
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