Immigration attorney Willy Allen warned that the new rules from May regarding access to the green card have no real impact on the Cuban community, although he expressed an unusual hope—admitted by himself—that the month will bring substantial changes in relations between the United States and Cuba.
Allen made it clear during his weekly program with Tania Costa on CiberCuba: "Until the consulate in Cuba opens and they decide what to do, Cuba remains at zero. It doesn't matter the work visas that are unavailable for Cubans, it doesn't matter the family visas that are currently on hold."
The lawyer explained that the central issue is not the new regulations themselves, but rather the inoperability of the U.S. consulate in Cuba, which hinders any real progress for Cubans applying for visas through that consular channel.
Despite that gloomy diagnosis, Allen surprised his host with an unusually hopeful tone for him. "It's the first time I've heard you say that we should hope for substantial changes this May, because you've always been a bit skeptical," Tania Costa pointed out. Allen replied, "I am skeptical, but who knows."
Among the signals that fuel this hope, Allen mentioned the possible presence of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in waters near Cuba. Trump announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier as part of the so-called "Project Freedom," aimed at pressuring the Díaz-Canel regime. "What a great name for an aircraft carrier: Abraham Lincoln changed the U.S., so we'll see," said Allen.
Díaz-Canel responded to those threats invoking the "War of All the People" in front of delegates from 36 countries gathered in Havana last Sunday.
Allen also mentioned that his younger brother was in Havana that same day, accompanying a group of Baptist ministers who brought containers of humanitarian aid to the island. "Let's hope my brother's presence brings about changes in Havana," joked the lawyer, who described his brother as "the chosen one" of the family, baptized by Cardinal Arteaga—the first cardinal of the Catholic Church born in Cuba—at the Cathedral of Camagüey.
In terms of migration, the situation for Cubans faces numerous obstacles. The State Department suspended the processing of immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Cuba, as of January 21, 2026. To this, we add a pause in adjudicative actions by USCIS that prevents the approval or denial of immigration benefits for citizens from Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti, as well as the family reunification processes that have been suspended for months.
The flight crisis further exacerbates the situation. At least 11 airlines have suspended operations since February, with most resumption dates expected in November.
Allen also recalled that a U.S. court issued a favorable decision for Cubans with I-220A in February, and that recently a Cuban with I-220A was released after months of detention, indicators that contribute to his hope as well.
"Let's hope that in May the hurricane will lift the travel ban and trips will start again. Let's hope that in May there might be substantial changes between the American government and Cuba, and that we will have a more normal situation," Allen concluded.
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