Independent Cuban journalist Yosmany Mayeta was overwhelmed with joy on Wednesday as he learned that the U.S. Immigration Court had completely dismissed the charges against him, clearing the way for his permanent residency and canceling any deportation orders.
In a conversation with Tania Costa, Mayeta admitted that fear was a constant companion throughout his ordeal, yet he never gave in to despair. "Fear never truly disappears, but what I never lost were hope and faith," he asserted, confident that he has "the best lawyers."
Mayeta's first words of gratitude were directed toward his legal champions: attorneys Liudmila Marcelo and Yelena Guerra, who took on his defense free of charge just a month before the crucial hearing. "Liudmila Marcelo and Yelena Guerra are the reason we won today, that I won alongside them in this case," he stated.
Expressing profound appreciation, Mayeta declared, "Of course, I'm indebted for life. We won't let go until citizenship, we've already told them." His commitment was clear: the lawyers who stood by him in his darkest hour will accompany him through the entire immigration process.
The turning point came just hours before the hearing. On June 30, at 1:20 PM, the State Department issued a waiver acknowledging the risk of persecution Mayeta would face if returned to Cuba. Without this vital document, the outcome might have been vastly different. "Yesterday at 1:20 in the afternoon, we finally received this green light to close this Court today," the journalist explained.
Attorneys Marcelo and Guerra managed to have all charges dismissed by the judge, a triumph even greater than they had anticipated—rendering the proceedings as if they had never occurred.
Yelena Guerra revealed that while the prosecutor commenced the hearing in a friendly manner, his demeanor shifted to aggression once the judge took her seat. However, both lawyers were ready for this scenario from early that morning.
Mayeta also extended thanks to José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the UNPACU, Tania Costa, Ernesto Morales, CiberCuba, and all supporters who offered prayers and encouragement. He even addressed those who wished for his deportation: "If you were waiting for deportation to Cuba, well, it will have to be in another life."
The journalist, a member of the UNPACU who had been in legal limbo for seven years, had publicly stated that deportation would lead to immediate imprisonment in Cuba due to his activism and criticism of the regime. He arrived in the U.S. in 2019 on a J-1 visa obtained through a journalism scholarship, a category requiring a State Department waiver to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act—a process that was never completed in time.
As the hearing loomed, Mayeta urgently appealed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Cuban-American congress members Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez. The judge had refused on June 19 to delay the hearing, setting it immovably for that Wednesday.
Mayeta concluded with a reflection on his life's purpose: "If God placed me here in 2019, it's because He has a purpose. I don't know what that is yet, but I'm confident that very soon I'll understand God's purpose for me being here in the United States."
Understanding Yosmany Mayeta's Legal Victory
What was the outcome of Yosmany Mayeta's immigration case?
The U.S. Immigration Court dismissed all charges against Yosmany Mayeta, removing any deportation orders and paving the way for his permanent residency.
Who were the key figures in Mayeta's legal defense?
Attorneys Liudmila Marcelo and Yelena Guerra played crucial roles in Mayeta's defense, taking on his case free of charge and securing a complete dismissal of charges.
Why was the waiver from the State Department important in Mayeta's case?
The waiver from the State Department was critical as it recognized the risk of persecution Mayeta faced if returned to Cuba, a document that significantly influenced the favorable outcome of his case.