A Cuban resident in Cape Coral, Florida, who received an I-220A form, voluntarily returned to Cuba to care for her mother after a medical emergency, despite the potential consequences her departure from the United States could have on her immigration status.
The woman, identified on TikTok as @zoerodriguez0439, posted a video on Tuesday in which she explained to her followers the reasons behind a decision that raised concerns among those who know her.
"The reason was my mom. My mom had been experiencing some pain for several days, so they took her to the hospital urgently. When the doctor evaluated her, the surgeon found a small tumor in her colon, and they had to perform a colotomy," she recounted in the video.
According to the Cuban woman, her mother had to undergo surgery after a tumor was detected, and since then, she has needed care during her recovery.
El caso de esta cubana ilustra los dilemas que enfrentan miles de migrantes que recibieron un formulario I-220A. Sigue todos los detalles y novedades en nuestra sección de
The Cuban woman took on the roles of nurse, cook, and caretaker for her mother on the island. She also explained that she still does not have permanent residency in the United States and is awaiting a petition submitted through her husband to be able to regularize her immigration status.
"I went to the United States, I still didn't have residency, so I cannot, for the moment, until my husband's claim comes through someday, I cannot go back to the United States. But for my mom, I would do it a thousand times more," she stated.
The video ended with an emotional exchange between mother and daughter. "Mom, how do you feel?" "I'm fine, my life, I'm fine," the mother replied. "I love you, mom, te amo," the Cuban concluded.
The case once again draws attention to the complex migration situation of thousands of Cubans who received an I-220A, a document that does not in itself equate to a parole, does not grant permanent residency, and does not guarantee the right to return to the United States after leaving the country.
Leaving the United States while there is an ongoing immigration process can have significant legal consequences depending on the circumstances of each case, such as the amount of accumulated unlawful presence, the existence of an asylum application, a deportation order, or other open proceedings. In certain situations, leaving may even trigger reentry bans for several years.
The immigration lawyer Willy Allen has publicly warned Cubans with I-220A about the risks of accepting a voluntary departure without first analyzing their situation with legal counsel. The attorney has emphasized that each case should be assessed individually before making a decision that could impact future immigration options.
This case is not the first recorded in 2026. A Cuban mother identified as Débora returned to the island in May after receiving a citation from ICE that caused her fear, while other Cubans have made similar decisions for family reasons or out of fear of being detained.
Meanwhile, the legal situation of Cubans with I-220A continues to be the subject of litigation in the United States. On September 10, Federal Judge Jacqueline Becerra rejected the government's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit Bello-Rubio v. Noem, filed by 992 Cubans with I-220A.
The plaintiffs seek to have the circumstances under which they were released by immigration authorities legally recognized as parole, which could open a pathway for them to apply for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act. The federal government, on the other hand, argues that Form I-220A does not equate to parole and that the latter must be granted on an individual basis.
The judicial process continues and, so far, there is no decision that automatically converts the I-220A into parole or guarantees its holders access to permanent residency. The attorneys for the 992 plaintiffs submitted a second amended version of the lawsuit on September 18, while the court is considering the next steps in the litigation.
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