Growing Concerns Over Detained Cuban Women with I-220A in Florida: Where Are They Now?

Recently, the case of Beatriz Monteagudo, a 25-year-old Cuban woman holding an I-220A, has come to light. She is among a group of women detained on March 10 during their routine check-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Miramar. In a recorded phone call aired by Telemundo 51, the young woman, speaking from the Broward detention center, expressed her fear of being transferred to another state.

"I'm afraid they might move me to another state because they're taking people to Louisiana and Texas. I'm really scared about that," Beatriz Monteagudo shared.

Johan Ariel, a friend of Beatriz, recounted the distress he felt on the previous Monday when, after wishing her luck, he asked her to message him once she was done with her appointment. However, she never emerged. "When she called me, she broke down in tears. She said, 'Johan, I'm here. I don't know what happened. I don't know why they detained me. There are 18 of us,'" Ariel narrated.

Attorney Rosaly Chaviano weighed in on the situation, stating that even legal experts find themselves puzzled. "We truly don't know because ICE hasn't officially stated why these individuals are being detained. What we're observing are arrests based on alleged violations of I-220A conditions. If no violations have been committed, this could be used as an argument to tell ICE that these individuals are willing to comply with any requests, be it a bond or additional stipulations," Chaviano explained.

Chaviano also expressed concern that this could lead to an extension of expedited deportations to individuals not currently in a deportation court, specifically those with I-220A status but without a court date.

Meanwhile, Beatriz's mother, still in Cuba, is in a state of despair. "We hardly know anything about our daughter. She was doing everything right, attending court, had a work permit, and committed no crimes. What a predicament for young people leaving this country to cross borders only to end up detained!" she lamented. "Where is the freedom we're looking for?" she questioned.

Beatriz Monteagudo's situation is compounded by her lack of financial resources to hire a lawyer, forcing her to wait for a government-appointed attorney. Her friend Yohan Ariel is also in a precarious position, as he is dealing with his own immigration challenges.

Where Are the Cuban Women Detained by ICE on March 10?

Besides Beatriz Monteagudo, other detained Cuban women include Laura de la Caridad Sánchez, Yadira Cantallops Hernández, and Denice Reyes. Laura, aged 26, works, studies nursing, and had a court date set for December. Yadira, a mother of a U.S.-born child, had an April court date. Denice Reyes, who entered the country in 2022 with her husband, remains detained while her husband is under a monitoring system.

Journalist Daniel Benítez remains in contact with the spouses of some of these women, who are increasingly anxious as the transfers feared by Beatriz have been confirmed. In a recent report, Benítez noted that the detained Cuban women—estimated to be five or six—were moved together, first to Arizona and then to San Diego, California.

An official reportedly told the women not to worry, as the "process" should not take more than seven days. However, the ultimate fate of these women remains uncertain, though they report receiving good treatment during this period.

The question persists: why are women with I-220A status being targeted for detention? Social media is abuzz with theories, suggesting possible gender-based motivations or the government's intention to avoid U.S.-born children by detaining female migrants. Still, no official explanation has been provided.

Understanding the I-220A Form

The I-220A form, known as the "Order of Release on Recognizance," allows individuals to be released from federal custody under specific conditions, such as attending immigration hearings and not violating local or federal laws. However, this status does not equate to an official admission into the country or confer immigration benefits, leaving recipients in a legally uncertain position.

A major limitation of the I-220A is that Cuban migrants released under this condition are ineligible for status adjustment under the Cuban Adjustment Act, as they are not considered "inspected and admitted" in the U.S. This restriction affects thousands of Cubans who had hoped to secure permanent residency.

Immigration law experts advise those in this situation to seek specialized legal counsel. It's crucial to adhere to all conditions outlined in the I-220A form and attend all scheduled meetings with immigration authorities to avoid further complications.