Vivian Pérez, a Cuban woman residing in Florida with an I-220B order, is on the brink of deportation despite being the mother of a two-year-old child who requires special care. Speaking from the Broward Detention Center, she pleaded with authorities to keep families together.
"I can't envision myself back in Cuba, nor can I imagine being separated from my son. It's just not fair for a two-year-old with ADHD who needs speech therapy to be left without his mom," Pérez told Telemundo 51.
"I have nothing to return to in Cuba. I would be persecuted by the State Security. I post a lot of political content on my social media, and many of my relatives have stopped talking to me because they say I'm counter-revolutionary," she added.
Her husband, Osmani Pérez, a U.S. citizen, has been left to care for their child. "I was devastated; I didn't know what to do... As a man, you want to be strong, but there are moments when you just break down," he explained.
Vivian Pérez believes her husband is now feeling the full weight of their new reality. "He must be feeling it now because he runs a workshop and goes out to work, and I was the one doing everything with our child, sleeping with him," she said.
"Don't separate families. It's not fair to separate families. I don't believe I'm a danger to this society," she concluded.
Background on Vivian Pérez's Immigration Status
As a participant in the MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols) initiated by the United States in 2019, Vivian missed a court date and was automatically given a deportation in absentia. Four years later, her I-220B document is catching up with her.
Her lawyer, Eduardo Soto, stated that a credible fear request was filed a year ago. "According to the laws of this country, she cannot be removed from the United States until her credible fear application is processed, which requires a physical interview," Soto emphasized.
Vivian Pérez was detained on July 15 during her annual immigration appointment at the ICE office in Miramar. Unlike previous years, she was not allowed to leave. At noon, she called her husband to inform him that she would be detained for deportation.
Increasing Deportations Among Cubans Without Criminal Records
In recent days, reports of imminent deportations have surged, especially concerning due to the increase in the number of Cubans without criminal records being detained during their immigration appointments.
This same week, Marien Acosta, a pregnant Cuban woman and mother of a young girl, reported how her family was shattered after her husband, Mario de León Díaz, was detained during what seemed to be a routine ICE appointment. He was under an Order of Supervision and Deportation (I-220B).
Recently, the case of Yoselianys Rodríguez, married to a Cuban doctor who is also a U.S. citizen, made headlines.
Last week, Lisván Isidrón Cabrera, who entered the United States in March 2021 and won a credible fear hearing but lost his asylum case, was detained by ICE during his immigration appointment.
FAQs about Cuban Deportations in the United States
Given the increasing number of deportation cases among Cuban nationals, it is important to address common questions and concerns regarding this issue.
What is an I-220B order?
An I-220B is an Order of Supervision and Deportation issued to individuals who are in the United States without legal documentation and are awaiting deportation proceedings.
What is the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP)?
The Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, was initiated by the United States in 2019. It requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in U.S. immigration courts.
What happens during a credible fear interview?
During a credible fear interview, an asylum officer assesses whether the individual has a credible fear of persecution or torture if returned to their home country. If the officer finds credible fear, the individual may be able to apply for asylum.
Can families be separated during deportation processes?
Yes, families can be separated if one member is detained or deported while others remain in the United States. This can have significant emotional and logistical impacts on the family unit.