Immigration attorney Willy Allen made a bold statement during his weekly program alongside journalist Tania Costa when asked whether Cuban-American lawmakers would intervene to resolve the situation of holders of the I-220A form in the United States: "I don't believe any of those three individuals you mentioned are going to help anyone. But that's just my opinion."
The question, posed by a viewer, was directed specifically at the representatives María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, and Mario Díaz-Balart, the three Cuban-American congressmen from South Florida whom Allen had previously highlighted in earlier programs as individuals capable of pressuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an administrative solution.
The statement represents a pessimistic turn compared to the lawyer's previous positions. In programs from March 2025, Allen had argued that these three legislators had the power to resolve the I-220A situation without the need for new legislation, only through political pressure on the DHS.
The I-220A form —Order of Released Under Recognizance— was issued to about 500,000 individuals between 2019 and 2023, a significant proportion of whom are Cuban. The document does not grant immigration status or work authorization; it merely certifies that the individual was released from immigration custody while their case is still pending.
The debate over whether the I-220A can be equated to a "parole," necessary to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act, has remained unresolved for years, and those affected are awaiting the BIA's decision on the lawsuit filed by Mark Prada and the Eleventh Circuit.
The context of the program was the recent court order lifting the immigration pause imposed by the Trump administration. Last Friday, federal judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island issued a 135-page ruling declaring four policies of the Citizenship and Immigration Services illegal, which had frozen procedures for nationals from 39 countries, including Cuba.
However, Allen warned that nothing has actually changed yet in practice. "Nothing changes, but I believe that it's such a strong and well-written decision that it gives me a very high confidence that the outcome will be positive."
A spectator identified as Henry Arias reported live that when he called the agency, they informed him that they had already begun processing applications, to which Allen replied: "I see it as something positive and I hope it is. I know that many USCIS officials want to do that."
Regarding the government's potential appeal, Allen was cautious: "With this administration, I don’t take anything for granted, but if I hear what Stephen Miller said, I believe the government is going to appeal," he said, referring to the judge's decision ordering the resumption of all immigration proceedings that had been halted by the "pause."
During the same program, Allen also spoke highly of immigration judge Mónica Newman from Miami: "Mónica is very decent, very professional; she has been a judge for some time. I have always found her to be very humane. That doesn't change the fact that she is very strict."
Since March 2025, Cubans with I-220A have been hoping for action from Cuban-American lawmakers, but to date, no legislative or administrative solution has been realized for this group.
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