A recently erected billboard at the intersection of 167th and the Palmetto in Hialeah serves as a counterattack to a previous one targeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio and three Cuban-American representatives. This new billboard features the faces of Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, Miguel Díaz-Canel, Nicolás Maduro, Hugo Chávez, and Daniel Ortega, alongside the English message: “The real traitors – To their people. To freedom. To human rights.”
Over 180 Cubans holding the I-220A immigration status are believed to have funded this initiative. Their message is a direct rebuttal to an earlier billboard placed by a Democratic organization, which labeled Marco Rubio, María Elvira Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Carlos Giménez as "traitors to immigrants."
“We felt outraged. We responded with the truth: the real traitors are those communist regimes that forced us to flee our countries,” Lianet Pérez, one of the campaign's organizers, declared to Telemundo 51.
A Political Showdown in Miami-Dade
The controversial billboard was part of a campaign urging Republican lawmakers to protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of immigrants. However, the Cuban community with I-220A status, which does not grant work permits or pathways to residency, claims the campaign does not represent them.
“We are very grateful to those congressmen. They have been our advocates from the start,” the group emphasized.
Their aim is to draw attention to the precarious immigration situation faced by those in legal limbo, without benefits or solid immigration protections. They insist their actions are not politically driven but rather a show of gratitude towards allies in their struggle.
“My life isn't what I hoped for... but it's not wasted time. It's time to fight for our legalization and Cuba's freedom,” expressed Yoslaine González to the same media outlet, also under the I-220A status.
Call to Action at the Capitol
Organizers have already reached out to the offices of the mentioned congressmen and announced a rally in front of the Capitol on April 25 at 9:00 a.m., where they will continue to demand a legal resolution for their cases.
Both billboards remain visible across various parts of Miami-Dade County, a situation some are already calling "the billboard battle."
Understanding the Billboard Dispute in Hialeah
Who funded the new billboard in Hialeah?
The new billboard was funded by more than 180 Cubans with the I-220A immigration status.
What message does the new billboard convey?
The billboard accuses communist leaders of being "the real traitors" to their people, freedom, and human rights.
What prompted the creation of this billboard?
It was created in response to a previous billboard by a Democratic group labeling certain Cuban-American politicians as traitors to immigrants.