Related videos:
Cuban migrants who received an I-220A upon arriving in the United States feel fear and uncertainty about what will happen to their lives following the new measures adopted by the Trump administration.
The document grants them temporary residency in the country while they resolve their legal situation, but many are uncertain if it will be enough to prevent deportation.
Yunior Luis Pino Pérez, a participant in the protests on July 11, received an I-220A after crossing the border from Mexico. He resides in Miami, where he has applied for political asylum. This year, he has a second hearing to defend his case before the immigration court, but in the meantime, he fears being deported.
"My life is in danger in Cuba, after having been blackmailed and forced to exile. I simply cannot return," he told Martí Noticias.
Another case is that of Dayvel Álvarez, who arrived in July 2022 and applied for asylum shortly after. After a year and a day, he requested residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act. He still has not received a response regarding any process.
"I only received the work permit. I'm waiting, it's on hold, and when I check the case, I still don't have a cut-off date," he said.
The story of Oscar Casanella is different. He is a political activist who lived in Cuba under harassment and threats from State Security, especially after the encampment of the San Isidro Movement in Old Havana in 2020.
In 2022, he crossed the border with his young son and his pregnant wife. He provided all the documentation proving they were a family to avoid being separated. However, each of them was given separate documents and they did not have an interview.
"We wanted them to conduct the credible fear interview with us, we tried that, but they released us with the I-220A without being able to explain that we were political refugees," she lamented.
Casanella, a biochemist, applied for political asylum and this year he is scheduled to have his first court hearing.
Her greatest fear following the new immigration policy in the United States is that "general measures will be applied, without analyzing each case individually, and that individuals with strong political asylum cases will be grouped together with others."
For many, it is almost a mystery to understand what criteria immigration officials at the border follow to grant an I-220A form or a parole. There are families who entered together, and their members received different treatment.
According to The Associated Press in 2022, the Border Patrol chose to grant parole because it was a quicker process and there were no conditions in the detention centers to handle the influx of migrants.
Some Cubans with the I-220A obtained residency by applying for the Cuban Adjustment Act. However, in 2023, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) dismissed the option of considering the form as a pathway to legal residency, which pushed Cubans to seek political asylum.
Thousands of them, who arrived between 2017 and 2024, are in a migratory limbo, waiting for their cases to be heard in an immigration court, and according to some lawyers, they could remain in this situation for years due to the increase in applications.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cubans with I-220A Form in the United States
What is Form I-220A and how does it affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The I-220A is a supervised release permit that allows Cubans to remain in the United States while their immigration status is being resolved. However, it is not recognized as an official admission document, leaving beneficiaries in a legal limbo without access to permanent residency.
What are the main risks for Cubans with I-220A under a potential Trump administration?
A Trump administration could toughen immigration policies and increase deportations, which poses a significant risk for Cubans with I-220A. Although this document provides a certain level of protection, it does not guarantee safety against more restrictive policies.
What legal options do Cubans with I-220A have to regularize their status in the U.S.?
Cubans with I-220A may attempt to take advantage of the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows them to apply for residency after one year of stay in the U.S. However, due to the lack of official recognition of the I-220A as an admission document, the process may be complicated and subject to changes in immigration policies.
Why are Cubans with I-220A protesting in Washington?
Cubans with I-220A protest to demand a solution to their uncertain immigration status. They seek to have the U.S. government grant them permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, as they feel trapped in a legal limbo that impacts their stability and future in the country.
What role does Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar play in this issue?
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has been actively working to ensure that Cubans with I-220A can apply for permanent residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act. She has promised to continue fighting for this cause and has urged Cubans to remain hopeful as she seeks solutions with the government.
Filed under: