Solidarity Without Borders (SSF), based in Hialeah, Florida, has launched an initiative aimed at supporting Cuban doctors and other healthcare professionals facing immigration challenges in the United States. This includes those holding an I-220A or those under deportation orders. Julio César Alfonso, the organization's president, is actively pursuing legislative solutions in Washington to help these individuals regularize their status.
In a discussion with Martí Noticias, Alfonso shared that he has met with Congress members, including Representative María Elvira Salazar and other Latino legislators, to advocate for measures benefiting medical professionals not only from Cuba but also from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti, who are caught in a legal limbo following the Trump administration's regulatory changes.
Advocating for Legal Solutions
"Our aim is to assist those with undefined status, like Cubans holding an I-220A and those under deportation orders," Alfonso emphasized. The organization is also working to revive the Cuban Medical Professional Parole (CMPP) program, which previously allowed Cuban doctors escaping regime missions to settle legally in the U.S. with special permission.
Alfonso mentioned that this program, which was repealed by Barack Obama in 2017, could facilitate organized and legal migration. He noted that many of these professionals are highly skilled and could significantly contribute to the U.S. healthcare system. "If an immigrant earns a university degree, they should have the opportunity to regularize their status, as former President Donald Trump has suggested in the past," he added.
Building a Case for Skilled Professionals
SSF is compiling a database containing the names and credentials of doctors and nurses seeking to legalize their status. This information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and members of Congress. "We want to show that these professionals are law-abiding individuals with valid professional training and a true desire to contribute to American society," Alfonso stressed.
FAQs on Cuban Medical Professionals' Immigration Status
What is the Cuban Medical Professional Parole (CMPP) program?
The CMPP program was a U.S. initiative that allowed Cuban doctors who fled from government missions to legally reside in the United States with special permission. It was repealed in 2017 by Barack Obama.
Who is eligible for assistance from Solidarity Without Borders?
The organization is helping Cuban healthcare professionals with uncertain immigration status, including those with an I-220A or facing deportation orders. They also aim to support professionals from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti.