Víctor Manuel Izquierdo Peralta, a 21-year-old Cuban, was arrested on March 28 by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Tampa, Florida, right on the day he was celebrating his birthday.
The young man voluntarily attended a scheduled immigration appointment that day as part of his legal supervision process. However, what should have been a routine day turned into a nightmare for him and his family.
Since 3:00 a.m., Víctor patiently waited in the ICE offices. It was there that his wife, Sunamy Pérez Alonso, a U.S. citizen, saw him for the last time in freedom.
Shortly after, he received a brief and heartbreaking call: "I don't have time to talk, they're just letting me call to let you know. I'm going to be detained. I have handcuffs on my hands, on my feet, on my stomach", Sunamy told the television network Telemundo 31.
Víctor was initially sent to the Chrome detention center and is currently detained in Broward County.
A separated family and a single hope
Izquierdo was deported to Mexico in 2019 as a minor. In 2021, he re-entered the United States through the southern border and received an I-220B form, a supervision order that allowed him to remain free under specific conditions, although with a final deportation order in effect.
For the past three years, he has rigorously adhered to the conditions: he reported punctually to ICE, has no criminal record, not even fines, and has been married for over a year to a U.S. citizen. They have a one year and eight months old child, whom they supported by working together installing solar panels.
His only legal hope is a marriage-based residency petition submitted a year ago. According to his mother, the ICE officer informed them that he was aware of the application, but that Víctor “had to wait for the process in Cuba”.
Sunamy has pleaded for his release. "He is asthmatic. He is not a criminal, he is not an offender. We are just focused on working to support our son. He needs to be here to raise him."
The lawyer John De la Vega, related to the case, explained that ICE prioritizes the deportation of immigrants released under I-220B with final orders of removal, even if they have active proceedings.
"Immigrants in the United States who have been released under form I-220B and currently have a final deportation order are considered a deportation priority for ICE," he stated.
An alarming pattern: other Cubans in similar situations
The case of Víctor is not an isolated incident. Just three days earlier, exiled Cuban journalist Esteban García del Toro was arrested during an appointment at the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Orlando, while managing his residency application through marriage.
Despite fleeing repression in Cuba and being married to a U.S. citizen who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, he was detained by ICE without any explanation other than an existing deportation order.
His lawyer, Roberto López Ortiz, reported the incident as a strategy of intimidation: "There is no logical reason for ICE to detain him at this moment. Beyond intimidating others, beyond making news."
Another recent case is that of José Francisco García Rodríguez, a 73-year-old Cuban detained by ICE on April 1 in Lafayette, Louisiana, while he was heading to work. He has been in the U.S. for 45 years, arrived during the Mariel exodus, and has no recent criminal record.
According to his stepdaughter, "he worked his whole life, paid taxes, never used state benefits. He takes care of his wife with dementia and has heart problems. This is an unnecessary and cruel detention."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cuban Immigrants by ICE
Why was Víctor Manuel Izquierdo Peralta detained by ICE?
Víctor Manuel Izquierdo Peralta was arrested by ICE despite meeting the conditions of his I-220B supervision order, which included attending scheduled appointments and maintaining a legal status in process. Despite being married to a U.S. citizen and having no criminal record, ICE considers immigrants with final deportation orders a priority for deportation.
What is the I-220B form and how does it affect Cuban immigrants?
The I-220B form is a supervision order that allows the release of immigrants under certain conditions while facing a deportation order. ICE considers immigrants with this form and final deportation orders as a priority for detention, even if they have active status adjustment processes, such as in the case of Víctor Manuel Izquierdo Peralta.
How is the current immigration policy affecting Cubans in the U.S.?
The current immigration policy has tightened measures against Cuban immigrants, particularly those with I-220A and I-220B forms. This has resulted in an increase in detentions during routine appointments with ICE, raising concern and alarm within the Cuban community in the U.S. Many are facing deportation despite having no criminal records and being in active regularization processes.
What legal options do Cuban immigrants detained by ICE have?
Cuban immigrants detained by ICE can seek legal advice to explore their options, such as applying for asylum or appealing deportation orders. It is crucial to comply with all supervision conditions and attend scheduled appointments. Immigration attorneys recommend preparing a strong case for asylum and being informed about their rights to avoid further complications.
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