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 that her departure from the United States could have on her immigration status.
The woman, identified on TikTok as @zoerodriguez0439, posted a video this Tuesday where she explained to her followers the reasons behind a decision that raised concern among those who know her.
"The reason was my mom. My mom had been experiencing some pain for several days, and they took her to the hospital in an emergency. When the doctor evaluated her, the surgeon who operated on her found a small tumor in the colon, for which they had to perform a colotomy," he recounted in the video.
According to the Cuban, her mother had to undergo surgery after a tumor was detected, and since then, she requires 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 claim filed through her husband to regularize her immigration status.
"I went to the United States, I still didn't have residency, which means that I can't go back to the United States for the moment, until I eventually receive my husband's petition. 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 dear, I'm fine," the mother replied. "I love you, mom, te amo," the Cuban concluded.
The case once again highlights the complex immigration situation of thousands of Cubans who received an I-220A, a document that does not itself equate to a parole, does not grant permanent residency, and also does not guarantee the right to return to the United States after leaving the country.
Leaving the United States while a migration process is pending 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 procedures. In certain situations, leaving may even trigger reentry bans for several years.
The immigration attorney 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 lawyer has stressed that each case should be evaluated individually before making a decision that could affect 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 summons 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 contends, on the other hand, that the I-220A form does not equate to parole and that the latter must be granted on an individual basis.
The legal process continues and, so far, there is no decision that automatically converts the I-220A into parole nor guarantees its holders access to permanent residency. The lawyers for the 992 plaintiffs submitted a second amended version of the complaint on September 18, while the court considers the next steps in the litigation.
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