After spending 80 days in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Daniel Alejandro Escobar Rodríguez, a young Cuban, has finally reunited with his family in the United States.
His case, which began with an unexpected arrest during a routine immigration appointment, concluded with a legal triumph that offers hope to other migrants holding the I-220A form detained in recent months.
Univision journalist Javier Díaz reported that Escobar, who had the I-220A form, "had been detained by ICE for 80 days" before finally being released to join his loved ones.
The young man was taken into custody on December 4, 2025, following what was supposed to be a standard immigration procedure.
“Victory Through Habeas Corpus” The key to Escobar's release was a federal lawsuit. As recounted by his wife on social media, the legal team filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention.
“We filed a federal lawsuit and won the habeas corpus in less than 15 days; the detention was illegal and arbitrary, and in less than 10 days, we secured bail,” his partner wrote, expressing gratitude to those concerned about the young man.
“There were hurdles along the way, but our lawyer overcame each one with the help of God, and on Saturday, February 21, at 4:30 p.m., after 80 days in detention, after being moved from Alligator Alcatraz, Louisiana, Texas, Krome, my husband Daniel was freed,” the message shared by the journalist added.
The habeas corpus petition enabled the defense to argue in a federal court that the detention lacked sufficient legal basis. Within weeks, the court ruled in Escobar's favor, ordering his release on bail.
Although he is now free, his immigration journey is far from over. Like thousands of other Cubans with the I-220A form, he still faces a complicated path to regularize his status.
From Routine Appointment to "Alligator Alcatraz" Daniel's arrest sparked outrage from the onset. His wife, Belixa De La Caridad Cubena Ramírez, publicly denounced that he was taken into custody after leaving an immigration appointment in Miami.
As she told Telemundo 51, ICE agents handcuffed him and took him away without clear explanations. At 25, Daniel had no criminal record.
“They don't even let him shower,” Belixa lamented upon learning he had been transferred to the detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” a complex surrounded by swamps and criticized by detainees' families for its poor conditions.
The couple arrived in the U.S. in 2022. Daniel worked as a pet stylist, and Belixa as a digital creator and entrepreneur with her brand, Eternal Jewelry.
“All we've done from day one is work, do everything right for this country to move forward,” she expressed in a tearful video recorded outside the immigration court in Miami. “My husband was just taken away like a criminal.”
The I-220A Limbo Escobar's case has highlighted the plight of Cuban migrants released with I-220A. This document does not equate to parole, as immigration lawyers have explained, leaving its holders in a legally vulnerable position despite having no criminal background.
In recent months, local media have reported an increase in arrests of immigrants with no criminal history, with tens of thousands detained across the country, sparking fear among those with open asylum cases.
Today, after nearly three months of uncertainty and transfers through centers in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, Daniel is free. His wife sent a message of encouragement to other Cubans in similar situations: strength to all with I-220A, hoping for permanent residency.
His case demonstrates that while the journey may be long and fraught with obstacles, the judicial route—including habeas corpus—can become a decisive tool against detentions deemed “illegal and arbitrary” by the defense.
Key Insights into I-220A Detentions and Legal Recourse
What is the significance of the I-220A form?
The I-220A form does not provide parole status, leaving its holders in a legally precarious situation despite having no criminal records, making them vulnerable to detention.
How did Daniel Escobar secure his release from detention?
Daniel Escobar's release was secured through a successful habeas corpus petition, which challenged the legality of his detention and led to a federal court ruling in his favor.
What challenges do Cuban migrants with I-220A face in the United States?
Cuban migrants with I-220A face a complex process to regularize their status, as the form does not grant parole, leaving them vulnerable to detention despite lacking criminal histories.