The recent termination of the humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans has left many individuals at risk of deportation, unable to regularize their status in the United States. A young Cuban man, who claims to have a deportation order, suggested that crossing the border into Canada would be a better option than being sent back to the island.
Known on TikTok as Xmen Coco, the Cuban shared his daring plan in a live stream on the platform. He documented his alleged journey from Miami's airport to a Canadian border crossing, expressing his determination to reach Canada. "Right now, I'm running to the border to see if I can hop over to Canada. I've got a deportation order from the U.S. to Cuba, but I'm not going back to Cuba. The best option so far is to head to Canada, and I'm going to try to reach the border by plane to see if I can make it," he stated in the initial moments of the video.
His idea reportedly arose amidst the worsening situation for immigrants being detained by ICE without legal permission to stay in the U.S. Despite his fear of being asked for American identification, the young man allegedly managed to board the plane. "I'm already inside. I'm definitely not going back to Cuba; I'm going to try to cross the Canada border," he declared.
Later on, he reported that reaching the Canadian border was possible without much hassle since officials were only checking documents randomly. Just before boarding, he reiterated, "I'm heading off with the Eskimos, but I'm not returning to Cuba."
In a subsequent video, the young man claimed to be in Canada, surprised by the cold weather. Allegedly, he took a coat from a market to keep warm while searching for his aunt, the only person he knows in the country. Many believe this is merely a prank by the influencer, as comments on his posts suggest he holds American citizenship and was joking about the fears many Cubans face regarding deportation.
The situation, however, could be real in a context where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun sending electronic notifications to migrants who entered the country under humanitarian parole, instructing them to leave the United States or face expulsion.
If these migrants do not exit the U.S. before their parole expires, they will start accruing unlawful presence, potentially affecting future entry requests. Furthermore, they may be subject to expedited removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Understanding the Risks of Deportation and Parole Revocation
What is the humanitarian parole for migrants?
Humanitarian parole allows individuals to enter the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons. It is not a permanent immigration status and can be revoked.
Why are Cubans and other nationals at risk of deportation?
The revocation of humanitarian parole leaves many without a legal way to remain in the U.S., making them susceptible to deportation if they cannot regularize their status.
What happens if migrants do not leave the U.S. after parole ends?
They begin to accrue unlawful presence, which can negatively impact future immigration applications, and they may face expedited removal.