The Cuban Diony Osniel López Díaz, host and event presenter in Miami, shared a testimony on TikTok after receiving an official notification from the U.S. government to leave the country following the revocation of humanitarian parole.
"I have to leave the country in the coming days, or at least that is what USCIS is requiring of me," said Diony at the beginning of the video where he shows the document he received. "Today I woke up to this notification from USCIS informing me that I must leave the country voluntarily before April 24, because if I do not, I risk being detained and placed in deportation."
My parole and work permit have been revoked. I received this despite the fact that both documents have already expired, at least in my case,” he added on his profile @dionylopeztv.
Diony shared that he and his family arrived in the United States on March 1, 2023. In May 2024, they submitted their adjustment of status application under the Cuban Adjustment Act. “In January of this year, after almost 10 months, my wife and children received, thank God, their green card. But sadly, mine has not arrived yet, despite the fact that I completed my fingerprints on October 4 of last year.”
In parallel, he applied for a new work permit under category C09 in January. "I applied before my C11 expired in February, and I still haven't received it." In his account, he questioned what is happening: "Today we are the illegal ones and the priority for deportation."
"What is going to happen to more than half a million people who will be left without jobs? Because one thing is them revoking the parole, but if they are taking away our ability to work... who is going to pay rent, car, internet?" she asked.
Her testimony generated hundreds of comments on social media. One user responded: “Don’t worry, that’s life. I am I220A and I have been waiting for a miracle for three years.” Another wrote: “Only God knows why He allows all this to happen, but everything has a reason.”
There were also those who expressed frustration: “It’s not fair. They sold us a dream and now they’re casting us aside.” Another user, resigned, noted: “This is what happens when you vote for people who don’t care about us.”
A mother commented, "I'm in the same boat, with two kids. The desperation is starting to set in." Another user remarked, "It's the fault of those who voted for Trump. Go cry in the park."
“Thank you for telling the truth. Journalists and lawyers just tell us to stay calm, but the reality is different,” wrote a follower. Meanwhile, someone else suggested: “Stay calm, kid, be patient. Your card will arrive. It's just a matter of time.”
In another video, Diony responded to someone who asked why he hadn't applied for a work permit along with his residency. “Sadly, the person who handled my case didn't mention anything about it, nor did they suggest that I do so. We thought we had done everything correctly,” he explained.
"Time went by, and I saw that the residence hadn't arrived, so I asked him about it. He told me to wait, that it should arrive before the end of the year. The year ended, and it still hadn’t arrived, so I had to apply in January. 'I only have the receipt,' he added."
"Right now, it is not known if work permits may also be on hold for all of us who entered with parole," she concluded.
The case of Diony occurs amidst a drastic change in U.S. immigration policy. On March 25, the Department of Homeland Security announced the official revocation of humanitarian parole and granted a period of 30 days for beneficiaries without any other legal basis to voluntarily leave the country.
According to the official notice, those who do not leave before April 24 will face expedited removal processes and automatic revocation of their work permits granted under the migratory parole.
The DHS also specified that those who applied for a status adjustment before that date should be protected. According to estimates cited in Café Fuerte, at least 26,000 Cubans would be left without legal standing for not having fulfilled the required year and one day to qualify for the Cuban Adjustment Act.
The wave of outrage on social media has been overwhelming, with dozens of Cubans expressing feelings of betrayal by a system that once welcomed them and is now pushing them away.
"My advice, if you find yourself in the same situation as I am, is to try to continue with your life in a way that you can find opportunities and ways to stay in this country. The final word always belongs to God," concluded Diony, with a message of hope amidst the uncertainty faced by thousands of Cuban migrants.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Revocation of Humanitarian Parole for Cubans in the U.S.
What does the revocation of humanitarian parole mean for Cubans in the U.S.?
The revocation of humanitarian parole means that Cubans who arrived in the U.S. under this program must leave the country before April 24, 2025, if they do not have another legal immigration status. Those who do not comply could face expedited deportation and lose their work permits.
How many Cubans will be affected by this measure?
It is estimated that around 26,000 Cubans who do not meet the requirement of one year and one day of physical presence in the U.S. to qualify for the Cuban Adjustment Act will be affected. These Cubans would be left without a legal basis to remain in the country following the revocation of their parole.
What options do Cubans who have not been in the U.S. for a year have?
Cubans who have not completed one year and one day in the U.S. and have not initiated another immigration process, such as asylum, should quickly consider their options. Some may attempt to apply for political asylum, although the rules are strict and they must have done so prior to the announcement of the revocation.
What should a Cuban do who received notice of departure from the U.S. due to the end of humanitarian parole?
A Cuban who has received a departure notice should consider leaving voluntarily before April 24, 2025, to avoid deportation. They should seek legal advice to explore any legal avenues that allow them to remain in the U.S., such as adjustment of status if they qualify.
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