Third Cuban Woman with I-220A Document Detained at ICE Appointment: What's Going On?

This week, the number of reports has risen to three regarding Cuban women being detained after attending their scheduled appointments with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Miramar, located in Broward County. The latest case involves Denice Reyes, who arrived in the country in January 2022 with her husband, Lisvani Sánchez. Both were released under supervision with the I-220A form and later sought asylum. However, during a routine ICE appointment, Denice was detained and taken to the Broward detention center, while Lisvani was allowed to remain free with a GPS monitoring device. Notably, the young woman has no criminal record.

A Drastic Turn in Life

Lisvani Sánchez, who personally experienced the distressing moment of his wife's detention, has voiced his frustration over the authorities' decision. "I felt like collapsing and screaming," he said, describing his reaction upon learning of his wife's detention. In an interview with Univision, Sánchez recounted being sent home without his wife and without a clear reason for her detention. "At 4 PM, they returned my documents and told me I had to leave, that my wife had to stay detained. When I asked for the reason, they said it was an order from above," Sánchez explained. He added that he refused to leave but was eventually forced to exit the parking lot of the Miramar ICE office. Since then, his life has drastically changed. "I don't eat, I haven't gotten up to go to work," he confessed, visibly affected by the uncertainty surrounding his wife's fate. Despite maintaining regular communication with her, the anxiety and fear of what might happen to her are overwhelming.

Legal Uncertainty for Cuban Migrants

Denice and Lisvani crossed the southern U.S. border in January 2022, receiving an I-220A. Following Denice's recent detention, her file now shows a court date, whereas her husband, despite wearing a tracking device, still lacks a judicial hearing date. Immigration attorney Wilfredo Allen explained the complex legal situation faced by many migrants with this document. "I believe these detentions are meant to instill panic and fear. Most people are released quickly. In some cases, individuals with an I-220A who didn't have court dates have now been assigned one," Allen detailed. He advised migrants in this situation not to skip their appointments with authorities out of fear of arrest.

Recent Detentions of Cuban Women with I-220A by ICE

Denice Reyes' detention adds to that of Laura de la Caridad Sánchez and Yadira Cantallops Hernández, who were also detained by ICE this week during routine check-ins. Both crossed the border at different times in 2022, and according to their attorneys, neither has a criminal record. Laura de la Caridad Sánchez, aged 26, works, studies nursing, and had a court date scheduled for December. Yadira Cantallops Hernández, a mother of a young child born in the U.S., had a court date in April. Social media users have noted the peculiarity of all three detainees being women, a fact that is certainly striking.

ICE Enhances Supervision for Immigrants with I-220A

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intensifying its oversight of immigrants with the I-220A document, causing uncertainty and concern among thousands of Cubans seeking to regularize their status. This week, those attending scheduled appointments at ICE offices in Florida were informed they would be subject to stricter monitoring while their asylum cases proceed in court. The digital outlet Café Fuerte reported that this control is being implemented under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), an alternative to detention requiring immigrants to register periodically and comply with specific obligations, such as using monitoring apps and remaining at home during designated hours.

Enhanced Monitoring and Potential Home Visits

Immigrants under this program have received informational brochures detailing the new rules, including mandatory phone supervision and video calls. ICE warns that it may conduct home visits with local authorities' support to verify immigrants' declared residences. In Florida, those attending recent appointments at ICE offices in Miramar, Broward County, were temporarily transferred to a facility in Miami Lakes before being released.

Understanding the I-220A Form

The I-220A form, known as a "Order of Release on Recognizance," allows individuals to be released from federal custody under certain conditions, including the obligation to attend immigration hearings and not violate local or federal laws. However, this status is not considered an official admission to the country and does not confer immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a legally uncertain situation. One significant challenge of the I-220A is that Cuban migrants released under this condition are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, as they are not considered "inspected and admitted" into the country. This restriction affects thousands of Cubans who have entered in recent years, hoping to obtain permanent residency. Immigration law experts recommend those in this situation seek specialized legal advice. It is crucial to comply with all conditions outlined in the I-220A form and attend scheduled appointments with immigration authorities to avoid further complications.