Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, a young Cuban national residing in the United States, was released this Friday from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Florida. The 26-year-old was taken into custody on March 10 during a routine appointment at the ICE office in Miramar, located in Broward County. Authorities informed her of a new measure, resulting in her detention with the threat of deportation. On that day, around 18 other Cubans found themselves in a similar predicament.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has been advocating for her release from the outset and confirmed Laura's release this Friday. The Republican representative expressed her relief over the favorable outcome of this situation. "I am pleased that Laura has been released from ICE detention. From the moment I learned of her case, we invited her mother to our office and have maintained close communication with her family. I personally spoke with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to request her release, emphasizing that she had no criminal record," Salazar stated in a communiqué sent to CiberCuba.
Additionally, Salazar noted that Laura has a pending asylum case and poses no threat to society. The Republican legislator representing Florida's 27th district urged ICE to refrain from detaining Cubans with the I-220A immigration form, who have no criminal background and are awaiting decisions on their asylum applications. "I have asked ICE not to detain Cubans with I-220A who have no criminal records and have pending asylum cases. I highlighted the dire conditions in Cuba, where a brutal dictatorship tortures dissidents and tramples on human rights. Since our discussion, I am not aware of any other cases, and should it happen again, I will fight for them," she added.
Laura entered the United States via the southern border in September 2022. Like thousands of other Cubans in her situation, she was issued an I-220A form by the Biden administration. She has filed her asylum application, with her first hearing scheduled for December 25 of this year. Her unexpected detention set off alarm bells among her family, who feared her deportation back to the island. News of her release has brought relief to her loved ones and the Cuban community closely monitoring such cases.
Her situation resonated deeply within the Cuban community holding I-220A forms. Supporters gathered at the office of attorney Eduardo Soto, who is handling her case, to show their backing for Laura. They raised a critical question through the media: “Why are innocent people being arrested when they are merely fleeing a murderous communist tyranny?”
Key Questions About Cuban Asylum Seekers and ICE Detentions
What is the significance of the I-220A form for Cuban immigrants?
The I-220A form is an immigration document issued to Cuban immigrants, granting them temporary permission to remain in the U.S. while they await asylum hearings or other immigration proceedings.
How did Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar assist in Laura's release?
Congresswoman Salazar advocated for Laura's release by maintaining communication with her family, speaking directly with ICE and DHS, and highlighting her lack of a criminal record.
What impact did Laura's case have on the Cuban community?
Laura's detention and subsequent release drew significant attention and concern within the Cuban community, prompting public demonstrations and raising awareness about the treatment of Cuban asylum seekers in the U.S.