The young Cuban Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, who lives in the United States, was released this Friday from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Florida.
The 26-year-old Cuban was arrested on March 10 during a routine appointment at the ICE office in Miramar, Broward County. Authorities informed her that there was a new measure in place and that she would remain in custody with the risk of deportation. Approximately 18 Cubans were detained under the same circumstances that day.
The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar advocated for her release from the beginning and confirmed the news of Laura's release this Friday. The Republican expressed her satisfaction with the positive outcome of this case.
"It comforts me that Laura has been released from the ICE detention center. From the moment I learned about 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," stated Salazar in a statement sent to CiberCuba.
He also pointed out that Laura has a pending asylum case and does not pose any risk to society.
The Republican legislator for Florida's 27th district also urged ICE to refrain from detaining Cubans who possess the I-220A immigration form, have no criminal record, and are awaiting a decision on their asylum application.
"I have asked ICE not to detain Cubans with I-220A who have no criminal records and have pending asylum cases. I emphasized the terrible conditions in Cuba, where a brutal dictatorship tortures dissidents and tramples on human rights. Since our conversation, I am not aware of any other cases, and if it happens again, I will fight for them," she added.
Laura entered the territory of the United States through the southern border in September 2022. The Biden administration provided her, as it did for thousands of Cubans in her situation, with an I-220A form. The young woman submitted her asylum application, the first hearing of which is scheduled for December 25 of this year.
The unexpected arrest raised alarms among his family, who feared his deportation to the island. The news of his release has brought relief to his loved ones and to the Cuban community that closely follows these cases.
Her case had a significant impact on the Cuban community with I-220A. Some people gathered outside the office of attorney Eduardo Soto, who is handling the case, to show their support for Laura. From there, they posed a question through the media:
"Why are they arresting innocent people who are simply fleeing from a dictatorship, a murderous communist tyranny?"
Frequently Asked Questions about the release of Cubans with Form I-220A and the immigration situation in the U.S.
What is the I-220A form and what does it imply for Cuban migrants?
The I-220A form is a document that allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions. However, it does not provide a clear legal status, leaving beneficiaries in an uncertain situation. This document is common among Cubans entering the U.S. and undergoing immigration regularization, but it does not automatically enable them to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act to obtain permanent residence.
Why was Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez detained by ICE?
Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez was detained during a routine appointment with ICE, with no criminal record and a pending asylum case. The detention occurred without clear explanations, causing alarm among her family and the Cuban community in Florida. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar intervened to advocate for her release, emphasizing that she posed no risk to society and her asylum case was still pending resolution.
What is Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's stance regarding Cubans with I-220A?
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has been actively advocating for Cubans with I-220A, urging ICE not to detain them and to allow their asylum cases to be heard. She has proposed a bill to regularize their immigration status, seeking to enable these migrants to access the Cuban Adjustment Act. Salazar has engaged in discussions with senior officials from ICE and DHS to find viable solutions for these migrants.
How does the current immigration policy affect Cubans with I-220A?
The current immigration policy, driven by the Trump administration, has tightened measures for migrants with I-220A, creating uncertainty and fear of deportation. This policy aims to review the cases of those who entered in recent years to determine if they should remain at liberty, which has resulted in unexpected detentions during routine appointments with ICE. The Cuban community and its representatives have expressed concern over the lack of clarity and the potential for mass deportation.
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