Cuban Boy with Cancer Awaits Humanitarian Visa for Over a Year: "His Veins Can’t Take It Anymore"

Young Cuban, Jorge Esteban Reina Llerena, has been in a relentless wait for a humanitarian visa to travel to the United States, where a life-saving bone marrow transplant awaits him—a procedure impossible to perform in Cuba. This case gained significant attention when Jorge's father, residing in Florida, reached out to the then-Senator Marco Rubio, now U.S. Secretary of State. Rubio intervened with USCIS last year, prompting an immigration commitment to expedite the boy's visa process. However, the Cuban government responded by interviewing doctors and releasing unauthorized photos of the child.

More than a year has passed, yet the humanitarian visa remains elusive, and Jorge's health continues to deteriorate, as explained by his mother, Arlety Llerena, on Facebook. "His veins can’t take it anymore," she shared in a heartfelt post pleading for assistance for her son. "Today, I write once again asking for help for my son. We are still waiting for the interview appointment for his U.S. humanitarian visa. It's been a year, and still nothing. This delay has worsened his condition. The treatments and prescribed regimens are no longer effective in keeping the disease stable. Currently, he's hospitalized due to an unknown bacterial infection, enduring fever for five days," she wrote.

According to her Meta post, these are among the "minimal complications" faced by the seven-year-old, who has battled leukemia for five of those years amidst a shortage of cancer medications. "It took 11 attempts to insert an IV because his veins are exhausted. He’s now receiving treatment through his foot. Years of steroid use have caused bodily swelling and facial changes, further impacting his health. Each passing day diminishes his hopes and chances of survival. Please, let this reach those responsible at USCIS to expedite our interview," the mother implored.

As reported by CiberCuba, Jorge suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and awaits an interview to immigrate to the U.S., where a bone marrow transplant is planned. His father launched a fundraising campaign to support the migration, legal, and medical processes required for his son's potential arrival in Miami, where Nicklaus Children's Hospital has accepted his case.

In August of last year, Arlety Llerena sounded the alarm in an interview with CiberCuba, urging for expedited immigration procedures. By early September 2024, then-Senator Marco Rubio secured a commitment from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to prioritize Jorge’s case, as the bone marrow transplant represents his sole chance for survival. Such procedures are unavailable in Cuba due to insufficient conditions, as confirmed by hospital sources in Havana, where Jorge receives treatment.

The family submitted the humanitarian visa application early last year. Over a year later, they remain without a response.