Jessica Suárez, a Cuban native who crossed into the United States in 2021, has announced her family's impending return to Cuba. In a Facebook video, she revealed that she, her husband, and their three daughters will soon be leaving the U.S. for good.
Suárez shared that after languishing in a state of immigration uncertainty for five years, they have decided to return as her husband's final immigration court hearing looms. They fear he may receive a deportation order.
The Struggle for Residency
Upon their arrival in 2021, the family was placed under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) supervision via the I-220A form. This document neither grants parole nor formal admission, nor does it protect against deportation.
Efforts to normalize their status since 2022 have been unsuccessful. "The journey to secure our residency has been a literal nightmare," Jessica explained in a now-viral video. "We've encountered people who mishandled our paperwork, and others who took our money without delivering any services."
Four years later, the family remains without legal residency. "We applied in 2022, and now it's 2026, and we still don't have it," she lamented.
Fear of the Final Hearing
The tipping point was the upcoming final court date set for August. "My husband's court date is fast approaching, and we're terrified," she confessed.
Jessica described the current immigration climate as a severe psychological burden on her family. "For us, this has been a huge psychological torture. Some people aren't even allowed to speak in court, meaning we literally have no right to defend ourselves," she said.
This situation is not unique; immigration courts have expedited hearings for Cubans with I-220A, originally set for 2028 or 2029, to dates between June and September 2026, increasing the pressure on thousands of families.
Choosing Voluntary Departure
Faced with this reality, the family opted for voluntary departure. "I don't want us to be kicked out and lose the chance to return forever. So I'd rather leave with my daughters and husband on our own terms," Jessica admitted.
She emphasized her determination to keep the family together, saying, "I won't leave him alone when he needs us the most." Their youngest daughter, born in the U.S., is an American citizen. "I feel bad for my daughters, especially the youngest who was born here, but at least she will always have the option to return," she noted.
Addressing their friends, Jessica said, "Most of our friends think we're crazy and acting out of desperation, but it's easy for them to say—they all have their papers sorted out."
Summing up five years of frustration, she stated, "This country definitely didn't open its doors for us."
Despite returning to Cuba, Jessica remains hopeful. "I believe Cuba will get better soon because Trump will step in. I really don't lose hope that this will happen," she concluded, mentioning her plans to resume content creation from the island.
Community Reactions
The video has garnered over 357,000 views and more than 1,060 comments, with the majority expressing empathy. Many supported the decision to leave before a forced deportation: "I would leave voluntarily. If you're deported, you might never be able to come back. Keeping the family together is the most important thing," one commenter said.
Others warned about the harsh conditions in Cuba: "I understand your decision, but prepare yourself because the situation in Cuba is very tough, especially with the power outages and shortages." Some suggested alternative destinations like Mexico, Brazil, or Uruguay.
There were also voices of legal caution. Immigration attorney Willy Allen had previously warned that non-detained Cubans with I-220A should not agree to voluntary departure, as it could trigger re-entry bans of three to ten years and weaken pending asylum claims.
This case is not isolated. Another Cuban with I-220A announced his voluntary return to Cuba on July 27, just days earlier. By May-June this year, the number of Cubans repatriated from the U.S. had exceeded 612.
Understanding the I-220A Challenges
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A is a supervision form used by ICE that does not grant parole or formal admission to the U.S., nor does it offer protection from deportation.
Why did the family choose to leave voluntarily?
The family chose voluntary departure to avoid a potential deportation order, which could result in a lifetime ban from returning to the U.S.
What are the implications of voluntary departure for Cubans with I-220A?
Accepting voluntary departure can activate re-entry bans from three to ten years and may weaken any pending asylum applications.