Cuban Mother of Autistic Toddler Facing Deportation from the U.S.

A Cuban woman with an I-220B residing in Florida and mother of a two-year-old autistic child is on the brink of being deported to Cuba, according to social media posts by her husband and another family friend. Her name is Vivian Pérez, and she has been living in the United States for four years. Since the beginning of this week, she has been held at the Pompano Beach Detention Center.

Her husband and father of her child shared that on July 15th, Vivian was detained during her annual immigration appointment at the ICE office in Miramar. She had attended three similar appointments in previous years, but this time she was not allowed to leave. At noon, she called her husband to inform him that she was being detained for deportation.

“She has an I-220B with a deportation order. She has been in this country for four years. My son has issues... He is two years old and has 'a bit of autism.' Without his mother, I don’t know how the poor boy will manage. Even though I am his father, it’s not the same. His mother is always with him, and this situation is not easy," said Vivian’s husband.

Despite claiming to be a man of few words, Vivian's husband is asking for help, relying on his faith in God and the support and pressure from the community and media to get her case reviewed.

“The truth is that there is desperation, worry, and great uncertainty, and my son is waiting for his mother. With your help and God, I hope to get through this for her. Please join me. I thank you in advance," he concluded.

Claudia Rivera, a social media user, pointed out in another Facebook post that both Vivian's husband and son are U.S. citizens. “She was detained by ICE and faces deportation within 24 hours. She was advised by an attorney for some time, but not all resources were used to adjust her status," Rivera detailed. "She has never had issues in this country, and despite the critical immigration situation in the U.S., both she and her son deserve a chance. Freedom and clemency for Vivian!” concluded Rivera.

Other Cubans at Risk of Imminent Deportation

In recent days, reports of imminent deportations have multiplied. The situation is even more concerning due to the increasing number of Cubans without a criminal record being detained during their immigration appointments.

This week, Marien Acosta, a five-month pregnant young Cuban mother of a little girl, reported how her family was torn apart after her husband, Mario de León Díaz, 26, who had a Supervision and Deportation Order (I-220B), was detained during what seemed to be a routine ICE appointment.

“They are causing a lot of harm,” said an emotional Marien, describing the constant fear in families with Cubans under an I-220B as "horrible."

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 married for a year and a half. Right after our marriage, we filed the family petition," said Yoselianys' husband. He has also met with local congress members to discuss the case, which resembles that of other Cubans facing the same situation.

Last week, the case of Lisván Isidrón Cabrera, 26, came to light. He entered the U.S. in March 2021 through the border, passed his credible fear interview, but lost his asylum case before immigration authorities. He was detained by ICE after attending his immigration appointment.

“He has no one, he only has me and his brother. We have no one in Cuba. I don't know what would happen if he were sent back,” said his visibly distressed mother, Mirielzi Cabrera.

At the end of June, the U.S. government conducted its fifteenth deportation flight to Cuba, returning 56 Cuban immigrants.