In a heartfelt TikTok post from Las Vegas, a Cuban migrant named Robert Denis has expressed his readiness to forgo returning to Cuba in exchange for legal status in the United States. “I am I-220A,” he declares confidently in a video set to the song "Very Sad" by Enchan, using hashtags such as #cubans, #I220A, #miami, and #sad.
“Brothers, I am I-220A, and I obviously love my family. I miss them, and I have cried many times thinking about them. But if giving up everything is what it takes to get my residency and be legal in this country, then I would do it. I am capable of it,” stated @robertdenissinger. “I am willing to never go back to Cuba if it means getting my residency because I know if I bring them here, they will be better off. But if I go back, it will be much worse,” he continued, adding, “Remember, God's timing is perfect.”
The young man also sought to offer hope to others facing similar immigration uncertainty: “Many people are fighting for this. Don't think you're alone, brother. Every day, more people are on social media, across this country, fighting for the I-220A status, and although many want us never to be legalized to keep profiting from our cases... remember God's timing is perfect. God bless you.”
The post has sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok, where other Cubans with the same immigration status have shown their support. “I will sacrifice whatever is necessary because with my residency, I could bring them to visit or live legally without going through what I did,” one user wrote. Others echoed this determination: “That's how smart people speak; you can bring the family later or take them to another country; don't go back and lose everything.”
Messages of encouragement such as “Thank you for your words,” “One day we will have it,” “Very true, brother,” “Blessings,” and “Soon we will be legalized” reflect a resilient, hopeful community deeply connected by shared migration experiences.
Robert Denis has previously shared similar reflections in other videos. In one, he addressed those with the same status: “Stop listening to your cousin or friend who said they heard deportations are happening. I haven’t seen anyone deported with I-220A. File taxes, do everything correctly, drive safely... no one will kick us out of this country. Long live the I-220A!”
Denis’s experience adds to the stories of many other Cuban migrants documenting their lives under the I-220A immigration status, amid moments of hope, anxiety, and uncertainty. Some cases have seen positive outcomes, such as a young man who, after weeks of waiting, received his work permit, sparking excitement on social media about the possibility of “residency being next.”
Another positive example is that of Mely, a young Cuban with I-220A status who won her asylum case and celebrated with her mother in an emotional video. “I am beyond happy, my mom cried, and I cried too,” Mely said, urging others not to be overwhelmed by rumors and alarming news.
There have also been cases like that of Cuban doctor Elisbet Cardero, who was arrested after attending an immigration appointment due to an administrative error for not notifying a change of address. She was eventually released on a $20,000 bond after it was proven she posed no threat to the United States.
Beatriz Monteagudo, a young Cuban detained in California, meanwhile, reported from the detention center in late March about the uncertainty many women with I-220A face, insisting they have committed no crimes and only seek to start a new life in freedom.
One of the most publicly noted cases was that of Laura de la Caridad González, detained in Florida and later freed thanks to the intervention of Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who has explicitly requested that Cubans with I-220A and no criminal records not be detained.
The immigration landscape has become more uncertain following the reactivation of stricter immigration policies under the new Donald Trump administration. Attorney Willy Allen has warned that the recent freeze on residency processes and the revocation of humanitarian parole leaves thousands of Cubans in legal limbo.
Additionally, cases of deportations with no prior offenses have been documented, raising alarms among those still waiting for an immigration court date or the chance to apply under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Amid this scenario, Robert Denis’s message resonates as a call for unity and faith among those still striving for legalization: “Remember, God's timing is perfect. God bless you.” His testimony, like that of many others, represents the voice of a community determined not to give up.
Insight into I-220A Immigration Status
What is the I-220A immigration status?
The I-220A is a type of immigration status granted to certain individuals awaiting their deportation hearings. It allows them to stay temporarily in the United States under specific conditions.
How does the I-220A status affect Cuban migrants in the U.S.?
Cuban migrants with I-220A status face uncertainty as they await possible legal status. This status allows them to remain in the U.S. while their cases are pending, but it does not guarantee a permanent solution.
What challenges are associated with the I-220A status?
Challenges include the risk of deportation, lack of work authorization, and the anxiety of living in a legal limbo. Many face the fear of being separated from family or returning to an uncertain future in Cuba.