A 19-year-old Cuban man who arrived legally in the United States with his family, fleeing the harassment of State Security against his father, a Baptist pastor, now faces the possibility of being deported to Cuba after spending more than four months in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Daniel Arcadis Solano Jaume was arrested on June 25 in Miami, following what appeared to be a minor traffic violation. Since then, he has been held in several immigration detention centers, and his application for permanent residency was denied, while his family fears that his return to the island could expose him to retaliation.
The case was reported by the international organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which focuses on documenting violations of religious freedom, and was covered this Thursday by The Christian Post.
A traffic violation ended in four months of detention
According to his father, Reverend Arcadis Solano Silvera, Daniel was driving in the Kendall area of Miami-Dade County around 2:00 AM on June 25 when a police officer stopped him for driving with the vehicle's lights off.
The young man, who was 18 years old at the time, was transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he stayed for approximately 48 hours.
Before his family could arrange for his bail, he was transferred to the custody of ICE.
His father explained that Daniel initially went through immigration facilities in Miramar, where, according to the young man's testimony, he spent between four and five hours in a room approximately three meters by three meters alongside more than 60 people.
He was subsequently taken to the Krome detention center in Miami and then transferred to California, where he remains incarcerated at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego.
During the transfer, conducted by bus and airplane, the young man was in chains and suffered severe dehydration, according to reports from his family, who were unable to communicate with him for about 48 hours.
On July 20th, Daniel turned 19 years old in immigration custody, far away from his parents and younger sister.
The pastor also reported that his son contracted COVID-19 while being held in California and did not receive the medication he needed.
The family fled Cuba to protect him from military service
Daniel's story is connected to the reports of religious persecution against his father, who served for years as a pastor of a Baptist church in Santiago de Cuba.
Solano Silvera was part of the Eastern Baptist Convention of Cuba and, according to CSW, he suffered surveillance, threats, interrogations, and arbitrary detentions by State Security.
The organization claims to have documented more than 50 incidents of violations of religious freedom against the pastor, his family members, and the congregations he led.
In March 2023, when Daniel was 15 years old, Cuban military personnel visited his home to attempt to register him for military service, according to the family’s report. Cuban legislation mandates registration during the year in which males turn 16, while Active Military Service begins in the year they turn 17.
The following day, an officer from State Security who was monitoring the pastor, identified by the pseudonym "Anais," sent him several text messages.
Fearing that their son would be forced to join the military structures, Solano Silvera and his wife, Yadely Jaume Martín, decided to leave Cuba.
The family traveled through Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico until they secured an appointment through the entry system of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Finally, the four family members legally entered United States territory on August 30, 2023, through Nogales, Arizona.
He studied in Miami, worked, and dreamed of becoming a marine
After settling in the United States, Daniel completed his studies at Felix Varela Senior High School in Kendall.
His father explained that the young man started working, filed his tax returns, and actively participated in the religious activities of his community.
He even had plans to join the United States Marine Corps.
A Marine sergeant, the Baptist Association of Miami, and other individuals sent letters of support to highlight his conduct, according to family testimony.
The pastor asserts that his son has no criminal convictions and that the traffic violation that led to his detention is still pending resolution.
However, her immigration situation became complicated after her application for permanent residency was rejected.
The family had submitted the documentation in September 2024 to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows certain Cuban citizens to request permanent residency after meeting the legal requirements, including a minimum period of physical presence in the United States.
CSW reported that on October 20, the young man's application for permanent residency was denied. For his part, the father explained that USCIS rejected his I-485 form and that his lawyers filed the I-290B form to contest that decision.
Additionally, a hearing was scheduled before an immigration court for Wednesday, October 28, during which the defense would request the termination of the deportation proceedings.
The sources consulted do not specify the outcome of the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.
They fear he will be imprisoned if he returns to Cuba
Christian Solidarity Worldwide warned that a possible deportation could put Daniel in a risky situation due to the history of harassment against his family.
Anna Lee Stangl, the organization's advocacy director, explained that she has known the young man's parents personally for over two decades and has been following the episodes of persecution they reported in Cuba.
Stangl urged U.S. authorities to reconsider the detention and allow the young man to reunite with his parents and sister.
While the legal process continues, Solano Silvera works as a palliative care chaplain in Miami, a profession dedicated to supporting individuals in particularly vulnerable situations.
In a written statement released by CSW, Solano Silvera expressed his hope that U.S. authorities will fairly evaluate the case, protect the health and dignity of his son, and allow him to reunite with his family again.
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