Related videos:
Esteban García del Toro, a Cuban journalist exiled in the United States, was detained on March 25th at the headquarters of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Orlando, Florida, while attending an immigration appointment related to his marriage petition process.
What was supposed to be a step towards regularizing his status ended in an arrest that could return him to the same regime he escaped from five years ago.
García arrived at a port of entry in the U.S. in 2019 and sought protection under asylum laws, citing his journalistic work and the repression by the Cuban regime.
In 2021, he met Ivette Viera, a Puerto Rican citizen, on a beach day in Daytona Beach. A year later, they got married and began the lengthy process of obtaining the marriage visa together.
But the American dream turned into a nightmare when, instead of progressing with his application, Esteban was arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. His wife, Ivette, recounted to Telemundo 31 Orlando the heart-wrenching moment:
When they called me, it was simply to hand over his things. I asked them, what happened?, why?, where is he? They told me: we are going to detain him because he has a deportation order and we have to follow a protocol.
The attorney for García, Roberto López Ortiz, questioned the decision, stating that "there is no logical reason for ICE to detain him at this time. Beyond intimidating others, beyond making a news story".
The situation is even more critical due to Ivette's medical condition, as she is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and is "100 percent" reliant on her husband's support. "Right now, I don't even know how I'm going to pay for the upcoming months or anything," she expressed with distress.
Esteban was initially transferred to a jail in Florida and then sent to another detention center in Arizona. Since then, he has barely been able to communicate with his wife.
“The last time we spoke, the call was very difficult because it lasted only three minutes and there was an automated machine in between speaking, making it hard for us to communicate properly”, explained Ivette.
In recent weeks, several Cuban migrants have been arrested under similar circumstances, which aligns with the immigration policy of the current administration of President Donald Trump.
One case was that of Álvaro Fernando Medina Melo, a 38-year-old Cuban resident in Florida, who was detained by ICE officials after attending his fourth routine appointment at the Miramar offices, Broward County.
Medina, who was released on parole with an I-220A form, is now facing a deportation process that has raised concern in the Cuban community.
It also happened to Laura de la Caridad González Sánchez, a 26-year-old Cuban with I-220A, who was detained while attending her immigration check-in appointment at the Miramar office.
His mother expressed her distress, pointing out that there was no clear explanation for the arrest. Laura's lawyer confirmed that she has no criminal record and that her arrest could be related to new immigration measures.
The Cuban Yadira Cantallops Hernández, mother of a young child born in the U.S., was also detained during her check-in appointment with ICE in Miramar. Despite having applied for asylum and having a court date in April, she was held without a clear explanation. Her husband expressed his bewilderment and concern over the family separation.
Finally, Ariel Rodríguez Gutiérrez, a victim of a migration fraud, was detained during an appointment with authorities to adjust his immigration status. Despite having obtained conditional release at the border and seeking to regularize his situation, he now faces the risk of deportation due to an order issued in his absence.
For Cubans, the possibility of being deported not only means family separation or returning to a impoverished country, but also the real risk of reprisals, arbitrary detention, and repression for political reasons.
According to lawyer López Ortiz, Esteban's deportation to Cuba is imminent. "He doesn't have much time left here, and that's why we are working so hard to see if we can halt it or find some kind of remedy for him," he warned.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cuban Immigrants in the U.S.
Why was Esteban García del Toro arrested during his immigration appointment in Orlando?
Esteban García del Toro was detained by ICE due to a pending deportation order while attending an immigration appointment to progress in his marriage-based regularization process. Although his attorney questions the lack of logical basis for the detention, ICE protocol requires adherence to the deportation order.
What is the I-220A form and how does it affect Cuban immigrants?
The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Release on Recognizance," allows for the release of individuals from federal custody under certain conditions, such as appearing at immigration hearings and not violating laws. However, this status is not an official admission to the country and does not grant immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a legally uncertain situation that affects their ability to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
What is the impact of Donald Trump's immigration policies on Cuban immigrants?
Donald Trump's immigration policies have tightened the conditions for Cuban immigrants, eliminating benefits such as parole and resuming deportations. These measures have increased uncertainty and concern among immigrants, who now face the possibility of being detained even during routine immigration appointments.
What risks do Cubans face when deported to their country of origin?
Deported Cubans face serious risks upon returning to their country of origin, such as retaliation and arbitrary detention by the Cuban regime. Deportation not only entails family separation and returning to a impoverished country, but also the danger of political repression due to previous activities or associations in exile.
Filed under: