The Republican congressman Mario Díaz-Balart openly acknowledged his differences with the Trump administration regarding immigration and admitted that his efforts to protect Cubans with form I-220A have not yielded results.
He said it in an exclusive interview granted to Martí Noticias and published this Friday by journalist Mario J. Pentón.
The conversation, recorded in Doral, Florida, during the campaign for the November 3 elections, covered the situation of Cuban immigrants in legal proceedings, Washington's policy towards Cuba, and the transition process in Venezuela.
"Unacceptable" detentions and a "overreaction" that fails to reverse
Díaz-Balart clearly separated his support for the closure of the southern border—which he deemed necessary—from the way the administration carries out deportations.
"I believe there has been an overreaction in how that part of the law has been enforced," he stated, describing the arrests of individuals who are undergoing legal immigration processes as "an unnecessary and negative overreaction."
The legislator pointed out that arresting those who proceed through legal channels contradicts the goal of encouraging such compliance.
“I completely disagree with the president of the administration,” he stated clearly.
The I-220A is a supervised release order issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that does not equate to the parole required to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act, leaving hundreds of thousands of Cubans in a migratory limbo during the Biden administration.
Díaz-Balart acknowledged that the efforts made alongside his colleagues María Elvira Salazar and Carlos Giménez —through meetings with senior officials from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security— have not changed the administration's stance so far.
"We have not achieved it so far," he admitted, in line with previous statements in which he had already described it as an exaggeration on the part of the raids.
The proposal: a temporary program for Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans
The congressman proposed creating a temporary program to review the cases of immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua on a case-by-case basis, starting with those who are most likely to have legitimate asylum claims.
He argued that this formula is compatible with current legislation and the administration's objectives: to identify and expel those who pose a risk, while initiating an orderly process for those with clean records.
Regarding who holds the key to change, he was direct: "The only person who can change this is the President of the United States."
He added that "the only ones working seriously, who have the possibility of achieving something, are myself, Congresswoman Salazar, and Congressman Jiménez." As a precedent for his capacity to influence, he recalled that during Trump's first term, he managed, by working "quietly" with the administration, the temporary legalization of Venezuelans, and he expressed his hope to replicate that outcome.
Cuba: "This regime will not survive."
Regarding the island, Díaz-Balart expressed confidence that the regime's time is numbered.
"I am convinced that this regime will not survive these two years and a little bit more that remains of President Trump's administration," he stated.
He confirmed that the administration is in contact with people close to Raúl Castro —specifically mentioned Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of the former leader— but he was emphatic: “These are not negotiations.”
According to the explanation, Havana seeks to make cosmetic changes while Washington demands a substantial political and economic transformation.
He described two possible scenarios for transition: a popular mobilization that low-ranking military personnel would join — he compared this model to the Carnation Revolution in Portugal — or a decision by those in power to facilitate an exit in response to increasing pressure.
Venezuela and the praise for María Corina Machado
Asked about the permanence of Delcy Rodríguez at the helm of the Venezuelan government, Díaz-Balart defended the administration's strategy and argued that a simultaneous departure of the entire chavista structure could trigger confrontations among the numerous armed groups operating in the country. "Transitions are not easy," he stated.
He described three phases of the U.S. plan: stimulating the economy, transforming the institutions inherited from the dictatorship, and holding free elections.
Regarding Rodríguez's cooperation with that process, it was clear: "Not because Delcy has changed," but because the pressure from Washington leaves her no other option.
When referring to María Corina Machado, the congressman did not hold back on his praise: “María Corina Machado is the undisputed leader of the people of Venezuela. She has earned it.”
He expressed his expectation to lead an elected government during Trump's term, once the necessary institutional changes are completed.
In assessing his relationship with the administration, Díaz-Balart drew a clear line: "I disagree with several things with the President of the United States, but on the issue of freedom in this hemisphere—Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua—we have not had a better ally than this president."
La situación de los cubanos con I-220A y otros temas migratorios siguen en constante evolución. Mantente informado en nuestra sección de , donde cubrimos todo lo que necesitas saber sobre políticas, deportaciones y derechos migratorios.
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