Denice Reyes, one of the Cuban nationals holding an I-220A form, was detained by ICE agents during her appointment in Miramar on March 10. She is currently held at a detention center in Otay Mesa, San Diego, California. From there, she recounted the abrupt transfer from the Broward facility where she was initially held. "We were woken up around 2 a.m. They started calling us. There were about 27 of us. The officers told us we were being moved to San Diego or Arizona," Reyes explained during a phone interview shared by Univision.
Reyes detailed that the group included a large number of men and around 27 women. The transfer took place on Sunday, March 16. According to her, Beatriz Monteagudo is another Cuban currently with her at Otay Mesa. Denice's husband, Lisvani Sánchez, has voiced growing concern due to the lack of official information regarding his wife's situation. "The worst part is the lack of information; nobody can tell them anything. Nobody speaks to them, they’re just kept there," Sánchez stated. "My wife says it's quite distressing what they're going through inside," he added.
Denice's lawyer is working to secure bail for her, which, according to Lisvani, she qualifies for. Beatriz Monteagudo, the other Cuban detained with Denice, lacks close family in the United States, prompting a friend to recently start a GoFundMe campaign to help her raise funds for legal assistance. Immigration attorney Wilfredo Allen offered his perspective on the reasons behind these interstate migrant transfers. "I believe it's meant to intimidate, to cause panic and make people scared enough to leave the U.S.," Allen speculated.
As of the latest updates, there is no information about the whereabouts of the other two Cuban women detained on March 10: Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, 26, and Yadira Cantallops, a mother of a young child. Every day, hundreds of immigrants, many of them Cubans with I-220A, attend their mandatory appointments at the ICE office in Miramar, Broward County, unsure if they will return home or face detention.
Amidst the rising tension linked to the detention of this group of Cuban women, attorney Wilfredo Allen emphasized that, despite isolated incidents, the majority of Cubans with I-220A still have no issues during their ICE appointments.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar Speaks Out
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar addressed migrants with I-220A last week, stating she had spoken with high-ranking ICE and Homeland Security (DHS) officials, urging them "not to detain more Cubans" and to allow their asylum cases to be heard. Salazar highlighted her efforts since the Biden Administration to find a solution for those under this status and vowed, "I will not stop fighting as long as necessary." She assured, "You can be certain I won't give up this fight and am loudly demanding they be given 'Parole in Place.'"
She also noted that while such measures were not achieved under the Biden Administration, she is "certain" that a resolution will be found with the Trump Administration.
Understanding the I-220A Form
The I-220A form, known as an "Order of Release on Recognizance," permits individuals to be released from federal custody under specific conditions, including attending immigration hearings and adhering to local and federal laws. However, this status does not equate to official admission into the country or grant any immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a precarious legal position.
One significant drawback of the I-220A is that Cuban migrants released under this condition are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act since they are not considered "inspected and admitted" into the country. This restriction impacts thousands of Cubans who have entered in recent years hoping to gain permanent residency. Legal experts strongly advise those in this situation to seek specialized legal guidance. It is crucial to comply with all conditions outlined in the I-220A form and attend all scheduled appointments with immigration authorities to prevent additional complications.
Key Insights on I-220A and Cuban Immigrants
What is the I-220A form used for?
The I-220A form, or "Order of Release on Recognizance," is used to release individuals from federal custody under certain conditions, such as attending immigration hearings and following laws.
Why are Cuban immigrants with I-220A facing legal uncertainty?
Cuban immigrants with I-220A face legal uncertainty because this status does not provide official admission into the U.S. or immigration benefits, limiting their ability to adjust status under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
What actions are being taken to assist Cuban immigrants with I-220A?
Efforts are being made by lawmakers like Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar to urge ICE and DHS to stop detaining these individuals and allow their asylum cases to be processed.