A Cuban couple residing in Miami made the heart-wrenching decision to self-deport back to Cuba out of fear of being sent to the naval base at Guantanamo and failing to secure residency in the United States. Holding an I-220A, they departed from Miami International Airport armed only with their Cuban passports, hoping to return to the U.S. after obtaining permanent residency from the island.
However, this move has been deemed a "grave mistake" by a lawyer who warns that leaving the U.S. without a valid immigration permit results in the abandonment of any pending asylum case. Journalist Javier Díaz highlighted this case on Facebook, issuing a warning to the Cuban community about the severe repercussions of such decisions.
The Risks of Self-Deportation
The interviewed attorney explained that anyone with an open asylum case or who has applied under the Cuban Adjustment Act and chooses to leave the U.S. is essentially self-deporting, losing any chance of gaining residency or returning legally. Díaz stressed that obtaining residency from Cuba is impossible, and urged Cubans uncertain about their immigration status to become informed before making hasty decisions that could jeopardize their future in the U.S.
A Community in Limbo
According to News 360, the couple had lived in Miami for over three years, successfully integrating into the community and working diligently to regularize their immigration status. Despite this, the fear of deportation compelled them to make the tough choice to return to Cuba, even though the island's economic conditions remain unstable.
The report recounts their emotional departure, leaving behind the dream of a stable life in the U.S. While they hope to find another opportunity to return and rebuild their lives, immigration experts warn that by leaving without a valid permit, they have forfeited any chance of obtaining residency or returning legally.
Uncertainty for Many
The story has sparked concern among the Cuban community in the U.S., where many immigrants with I-220A face similar uncertainty and fear that stricter immigration measures may threaten their stay in the country. However, this is not an isolated incident. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans in the U.S. find themselves in a legal limbo, fearing deportation due to policy changes announced by the Trump administration, as reported by Martí Noticias.
Many have resided in the country for years, hoping to regularize their status, but now face an uncertain landscape that has caused anxiety within the immigrant community. One such case involves Yunior Luis Pino Pérez, a Cuban activist who fled the island following the July 11, 2021 protests and, after crossing the border through Mexico, received an I-220A. Since his arrival in Miami, he has sought political asylum and must appear in an immigration court this year to defend his case.
Challenges with I-220A
Pino Pérez insists he cannot return to Cuba due to fears of reprisal for his activism, recalling being blackmailed and forced into exile. Despite historically favorable immigration benefits for Cubans in the U.S., the current situation regarding the I-220A remains unresolved.
For years, Cubans reaching U.S. soil were able to take advantage of the "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy, which was repealed in 2017, while the Cuban Adjustment Act still allows eligible individuals to apply for permanent residency. However, the issuance of I-220A has been inconsistent, with many families who entered together receiving different immigration statuses, leaving some with parole and others with an order of release on recognizance, without a clear path to residency.
Policy Shifts and Future Concerns
The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the legal status of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who legally entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden. Among those affected is a Cuban who sponsored six relatives through this program and now fears they will be deported back to Cuba amid the uncertainty created by these shifts in U.S. immigration policy.
Journalist Javier Díaz shared on Instagram the story of Robert, a Cuban who declared himself a staunch Republican voter and supporter of Donald Trump in the elections. Meanwhile, the U.S. announced the launch of the first flight with migrants arrested on American soil to the detention center located at the Guantanamo Bay Military Base in Cuba. "President Trump wastes no time," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement to Fox News.
Immigration Challenges for Cubans in the U.S.
What happens if a Cuban with an I-220A leaves the U.S. without a valid permit?
Leaving the U.S. without a valid permit effectively results in self-deportation, abandoning any pending asylum case, and losing the chance to gain residency or return legally to the United States.
Can Cubans obtain U.S. residency from Cuba?
No, it is not possible for Cubans to obtain U.S. residency while residing in Cuba. Such attempts are considered self-deportation, closing off any legal avenues to residency.
What is the status of the Cuban Adjustment Act?
The Cuban Adjustment Act still allows eligible Cubans to apply for permanent residency in the U.S., but the path can be complicated by current immigration policies and the issuance of I-220A.