Marien Acosta, a young Cuban woman five months pregnant and mother of a little girl, watches in horror as her family falls apart after her husband was detained during what seemed like a routine appointment with ICE. He had an Order of Supervision and Deportation (I-220B) against him.
Mario de León Díaz, 26, is facing imminent deportation after failing the credible fear interview when he sought political asylum at the southern border. Last Friday, he went to his annual ICE appointment and was detained, becoming one of several Cubans recently confronted with the possibility of deportation to the island.
"My family is broken right now. My daughter is suffering. When my daughter sees that he’s not at her birthday, I won’t be able to keep lying and telling her he’s working because she’s very smart," Marien told Telemundo 51.
"When I have to give birth and have no one there for me... My little girl won’t have her dad by her side... Please, have a heart," the young woman added through tears.
The family’s lawyer, Eduardo Soto, clarified that Marien is a U.S. citizen and that a petition for her husband’s legal status was filed months ago. Soto regrets that the authorities are condemning a family to separation when it was only a matter of time before the petition would have had a favorable resolution.
"They are causing a lot of harm," Marien said, visibly emotional, describing the constant fear in families with Cubans under an I-220B as "horrible."
The situation is even more concerning due to the rising number of Cubans without criminal records being detained during their immigration appointments.
Other Cubans Detained and Facing Imminent Deportation
Recently, the case of Yoselianys Rodríguez made headlines. She is married to a Cuban doctor who is also a U.S. citizen.
"We’ve been together for three years, but we’ve been married for a year and a half. As soon as we got married, we filed the family petition," her husband revealed. He has also met with local congressmen to discuss the case, which resembles that of other Cubans in similar situations.
"It’s very odd because there are people with crimes who aren’t deported to Cuba. Honest people who haven’t committed any crimes are deported just because Cuba is accepting them," Antonio Ramos, an immigration lawyer, told Telemundo 51.
Rosaly Chaviano, an attorney handling another young Cuban’s case, agreed. "We know of so many people who have been in the United States for many years with serious crimes, and yet Cuba doesn’t want them," she pointed out.
Last week, the case of Lisván Isidrón Cabrera, 26, also came to light. He entered the United States in March 2021 through the border, passed the credible fear interview, but lost his political asylum case. He was detained by ICE after attending his immigration appointment.
"He has no one, only me and his brother. We have no one in Cuba. I don’t know what would happen if they sent him back," said his mother, Mirielzi Cabrera, visibly distressed.
At the end of June, the U.S. government conducted its fifteenth deportation flight to Cuba, returning 56 Cuban immigrants.
Understanding the Deportation Crisis Facing Cuban Families
This section addresses common questions regarding the deportation of Cuban immigrants and the impact on their families.
What is an I-220B Order of Supervision and Deportation?
An I-220B is an order issued by ICE that places an individual under supervision and mandates their deportation. This order typically follows a failed credible fear interview when seeking asylum.
Why are Cuban immigrants being deported despite having no criminal records?
Cuban immigrants without criminal records are being deported because the Cuban government is currently accepting deportees. This situation contrasts with individuals who have committed crimes but are not being deported.
How can families fight against deportation orders?
Families can seek legal representation to file petitions and appeals. Engaging with local congressmen and raising public awareness through the media can also help in their fight against deportation.