Who is Responsible for the Mass Deportations: Biden or Trump? A Divisive Issue Among Cuban-Americans in the U.S.

Immigration attorney Willy Allen dismissed claims on Monday that the ongoing immigration crisis is solely the fault of the previous administration. He criticized the political debate that is splitting the Cuban community in the United States over who should bear the blame for the mass deportations. Allen shared his views in an interview with CiberCuba.

The backdrop of this division is the announcement by "border czar" Tom Homan to add 7,000 new agents to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with another 3,000 in training, to expedite the mass deportations promised by Trump. On May 6, during the Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Homan stated, "Mass deportations are coming. This will be a good year."

Contrasting Narratives on Responsibility

Within this context, Allen highlighted two narratives that, in his opinion, divert attention from the real accountability. The first blames Biden for allegedly "opening the border." The second, advocated even by elected congress members, claims Trump is unaware of the situation.

Allen firmly countered the first claim, stating, "Biden never opened the border."

Regarding the second narrative, he was equally straightforward: "Does Trump truly not know? He is unaware of the mass deportations ahead."

Community Division and Misunderstandings

Allen emphasized that both positions are part of the same problem: "Instead of identifying who's truly responsible, we have this wordplay game."

He noted there is a segment of the community that supports the president's actions, believing they are necessary, while others, including friends of those detained, continue to hold Biden accountable.

This division, he cautioned, obstructs a clear analysis of the facts.

Dispelling Misconceptions with Facts

One fact, as Allen cited in the interview, is that 75% of those detained by ICE have no criminal record, challenging the official narrative that deportations are solely targeting criminals.

Florida has become the center of these detentions: it is the only state where all 67 counties have active agreements with ICE, following the governor's commitment to engage all local and state police. Allen admitted he did not anticipate such a level of cooperation.

Sources of Optimism Amidst Challenges

Despite the bleak scenario, Allen expressed two hopes. The first is the federal courts, which have recently granted significant victories in residence cases with I-220A, including the release of detained individuals and the opening of pathways for legalization.

The second is the outcome of the November elections. However, Allen was clear about the limitations of that hope: "A November election does not erase part of what they are doing now."

What could change, he explained, is the control of resources: "With a November election, if the Democrats have the House and possibly the Senate, they can limit the funds available and can investigate how actions are conducted."

Allen's institutional distinction sums up the scenario: "The Executive controls immigration and its actions. But the House of Representatives and the Senate can control the funds and oversee the implementation."

"I am hopeful: one, that the Federal Courts will uphold the law; two, that a November election will bring substantial change to aid the situation," Allen concluded.