The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has escalated its oversight of immigrants granted the I-220A document, a move that has sparked anxiety and concern among thousands of Cubans undergoing the regularization process. This week, individuals attending scheduled appointments at ICE offices in Florida were informed that they would be subject to stricter monitoring as their asylum cases proceed in court.
Café Fuerte reported that this enhanced oversight will be conducted under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), an alternative to detention requiring immigrants to periodically check in and adhere to specific obligations. These include the use of monitoring applications and remaining at their residence during designated hours.
Enhanced Monitoring and Potential Home Visits
Immigrants enrolled in this program have received informational brochures outlining the new regulations. Apart from mandatory phone check-ins and video calls, ICE has cautioned that home visits could be conducted with the assistance of local authorities to verify the declared residences of immigrants.
In Florida, individuals attending recent appointments at ICE offices in Miramar, located in Broward County, were temporarily relocated to a facility in Miami Lakes before being released. Meanwhile, others, like Yadira Cantallops Hernández, who sought asylum in the United States and has a court date in April, remain detained.
Reports suggest that over a hundred I-220A beneficiaries have been processed in Florida in recent days, whereas in other states, the procedure has been expedited with no significant changes.
Understanding the I-220A and Cuban Status Concerns
The I-220A is a document issued at U.S. border points under a supervisory release criterion but does not constitute formal legal admission into the country. It is estimated that approximately 400,000 Cubans hold this status while awaiting the outcome of their political asylum applications or a potential parole that could enable them to pursue permanent residency.
Impact on the Immigrant Community
The tightening of oversight coincides with the reactivation of CBP Home, an application that replaces CBP One, now allowing immigrants to manage their voluntary self-deportation. The situation is particularly tense in Florida, where immigration policies under Governor Ron DeSantis further tighten surveillance on undocumented individuals in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
Thousands of Cubans with I-220A continue to await a definitive resolution in their immigration process, hoping for a favorable ruling from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta that would grant them an official admission document in the United States. The future of these immigrants remains uncertain, as ICE's new measures deepen the uncertainty within the Cuban exile community.
Key Aspects of ICE's Enhanced Monitoring
What is the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP)?
The Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) is an alternative to detention that requires immigrants to check in periodically and comply with specific obligations, such as using monitoring applications and staying at their residence during set hours.
How are I-220A beneficiaries affected by the increased ICE oversight?
I-220A beneficiaries are subject to stricter monitoring, including mandatory phone check-ins, video calls, and potential home visits to verify their declared residence. This heightened scrutiny adds to the uncertainty faced by these immigrants.
What is the significance of the I-220A document for Cuban immigrants?
The I-220A document grants supervisory release at U.S. border points but does not equate to formal legal admission. Many Cubans hold this status while awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications or parole that could lead to permanent residency.