A young Cuban identified as Ariel Rodríguez Gutiérrez was detained by immigration agents during an appointment with authorities to adjust his immigration status, his family reported.
Rodríguez Gutiérrez, who was granted parole at the border when he entered the U.S., went to an interview at the immigration offices on February 25, hopeful of receiving positive news regarding his case after being a victim of fraud.
"He was very happy; we thought we were finally going to obtain residency," said his fiancée Lisandra Torres.
He recounted that at the end of the appointment, two agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stopped him, claiming he had a pending deportation order.
The family explained to the channel Telemundo 51 that Ariel crossed the border and received humanitarian parole.
Later, he lived in Tampa and then moved to Miami, where he began the process of obtaining residency. However, his application was denied due to an error by a supposed lawyer who did not inform about the change of address.
Lawyer Ralip Hernández, who now represents Rodríguez Gutiérrez, states that the young man "paid for legal services that were never provided properly. They did not submit the change of address to immigration, which is why he did not receive notifications about his court hearing," Hernández explained.
He said that by not attending the hearing, a deportation order was issued in absentia.
Lisandra Torres also denounces the precarious conditions that Ariel has faced since his transfer to the Krome detention center, and now in Arizona, where he was recently relocated. “He told me that he went 10 days without being able to shower or shave. His health is poor and he is very anxious,” she stated.
Last Friday, Ariel had a hearing with an immigration judge, but he could not attend because he was transferred, which prevented the judge from issuing a decision. “The judge has no jurisdiction if the detainee is not present, neither physically nor by video call,” the lawyer explained.
For now, a motion has been filed to halt his deportation, but the process could take a while due to his current location in Arizona.
"The only thing we ask for is justice, for someone to find out what happened," concluded Lisandra Torres, hoping that Ariel can have a new chance to regularize his status in the United States.
In recent weeks, several Cubans with I-220A documents have been apprehended during their appointments with ICE in the context of Donald Trump's deportation policies.
Several Cubans have been deported to the island, but so far the measures have not included immigrants who benefited from the humanitarian paroles granted at the borders during the Biden Administration.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation risks for Cubans in the U.S.
Why does Ariel Rodríguez Gutiérrez face the risk of deportation in the United States?
Ariel Rodríguez Gutiérrez faces the risk of deportation due to an order of removal in absentia. This order was issued after he failed to attend a court hearing, as he never received the notification for it. According to his attorney, the lack of notification was due to fraud committed by an alleged lawyer who did not file the address change with immigration authorities.
What is the I-220A form and how does it affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The I-220A form, known as "Order of Supervised Release," allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions. This status is not considered an official admission to the country nor does it grant immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a legally uncertain situation. Cuban migrants under this form are not eligible to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, complicating their chances of obtaining permanent residency.
What are the detention conditions in ICE facilities in the U.S.?
The conditions in ICE detention centers have been criticized, as in the case of Ariel Rodríguez Gutiérrez, who has reported dire conditions such as spending 10 days without being able to bathe or shave. These situations create anxiety and health issues among the detainees, who often face unexpected transfers that further complicate their legal processes.
What measures have U.S. authorities taken regarding Cuban migrants?
The Trump administration has tightened immigration policies, impacting Cubans in the U.S. They have eliminated benefits such as humanitarian parole and have implemented mass deportations. This has created uncertainty and concern among Cuban migrants, especially those with the I-220A form, who face stricter monitoring and potential detentions during their immigration appointments.
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