A Cuban family that has been in the United States for over five years with an I-220A form and no scheduled immigration hearing experienced moments of uncertainty before appearing at an ICE office in Orlando, Florida. However, according to their testimony, the appointment ended without arrests and with an immigration court hearing scheduled for 2028.
The experience was shared by a Cuban woman in a video posted on Facebook, with the aim of reassuring other migrants who are afraid to attend their appointments with U.S. authorities.
According to her explanation, her family, consisting of her husband and two minor daughters, entered the United States in March 2021 and had not received a date to appear before an immigration court since then.
The situation changed on September 25, when ICE agents detained her husband for several hours and handed him a summons for the family to appear on Tuesday, October 20.
"We were practically in a bad situation because we didn't know what was going to happen, whether we would be deported or allowed to stay; we didn't know anything," the woman confessed as she recalled the anxiety of the days leading up to it.
What happened during the appointment with ICE?
The Cuban woman recounted that after she contacted the authorities by phone, she was informed that her daughters did not need to attend because they were minors, although they were required to bring the passports of all four family members and U.S. identification documents.
The appointment was scheduled for eight in the morning, but they were not attended to until around ten. They remained at the facility until approximately one in the afternoon.
During the procedure, as he reported, the agents took their fingerprints and informed them of a hearing date before an immigration judge for 2028.
One of the moments that brought the family the most relief was receiving a document that, as the Cuban explained, could be useful to them in case they were intercepted again by immigration agents.
"This document is in case immigration stops you," he stated while showing the paper to the camera. In his interpretation, it proves that they have already been processed by the authorities and would prevent another detention until their court appearance in 2028.
However, the woman did not identify the type of document, and her testimony does not establish that it legally prevents a new arrest by ICE.
Additionally, the family received a new follow-up appointment with ICE for next year. As the woman explained, the agents informed them that they needed to return to sign, as part of the conditions of immigration monitoring.
They also received information about immigration lawyers and documents certifying their appearance before ICE.
The woman stated that she decided to share her experience upon recognizing the fears of other Cubans in similar circumstances.
"Like me, there are many I-220A without a hearing and scared, who are self-deporting thinking that when they get here they will be deported," she expressed.
The woman also stated that some people had to receive new appointment dates because they did not present their passports. According to her experience, those who were processing the document could bring a proof of their application.
These instructions pertain to what was observed during your visit to the Orlando office and should not be interpreted as requirements applicable to all ICE offices.
However, the conditions and requirements may vary between offices and immigration procedures, so they should be confirmed directly with the authorities before each appointment.
Does receiving a cutoff date prevent deportation?
Although this family was able to return home after their appointment, their experience does not mean that all individuals with an I-220A will receive the same treatment, nor does having a scheduled hearing automatically prevent detention or deportation.
The I-220A form is a parole order, subject to immigration conditions. It does not in itself equate to a parole nor does it guarantee permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
The uncertainty affects many Cubans who entered the United States with I-220A and remain without a hearing date.
Individuals with pending immigration proceedings can consult their hearings on the official system of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and seek legal advice before making decisions regarding their stay in the United States.
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