A judge has approved the release on bail for Félix Abreu Medina, a Cuban native from Villa Clara who has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities for several months, despite another judge having already granted his political asylum claim.
This decision offers Abreu an opportunity to regain his freedom while his case continues to be appealed, according to a report by Telemundo 51.
Abreu, along with his wife, arrived in the United States on December 31, 2022, aboard a makeshift raft. The following day, he was issued an expedited deportation order but was released. Less than two months later, the couple initiated a political asylum process.
Arrest and Detention
The situation took a turn in January 2026 when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested Abreu on his way to work in Marathon, Florida Keys.
He was placed in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and initially held at the detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades, before being transferred to the Broward Transitional Center.
Legal Battle for Asylum
While in detention, his legal team presented the asylum request before an immigration judge and received a favorable decision.
“When he was brought before the court, we had to fight for political asylum, and we won,” explained his attorney, Liliana Gómez.
Yet, Abreu remained in custody. According to Gómez, the federal government reserved the right to appeal the asylum decision, prolonging the immigration process.
“The response from ICE and the judge was that since the government reserved its right to appeal the asylum grant, they would continue to detain him,” Gómez stated.
Seeking Freedom Through Legal Channels
His defense then filed a habeas corpus petition in a federal court in the Middle District of Florida. The court granted the petition and ordered that Abreu receive a bond hearing or be released within ten days.
This process culminated on Thursday with the approval of his bail, bringing months of uncertainty for his family to a potential close.
His wife, speaking to Telemundo 51 without revealing her identity due to concerns about her own immigration status, described the ordeal as more challenging than the raft journey itself. “The waiting has been harder than the trip on the raft,” she expressed.
She added, “I draw strength from nowhere, resources from nowhere, I achieve it, and still they don’t want to grant him freedom.”
Ongoing Struggles
CBP confirmed to Telemundo 51 that Abreu did not have regular immigration status, though they did not explain why he remained detained after an asylum approval by a judge.
The case remains unresolved. The government has appealed the asylum grant, while Abreu’s defense continues to appeal the denial of his residency.
This situation arises amid a significant increase in ICE detentions of Cuban migrants. According to the Cato Institute, Cuban arrests surged by 463% from October 2024 to early 2026, escalating from fewer than 200 to over 1,000 monthly.
Despite the bond approval bringing Abreu closer to reuniting with his family, his wife acknowledges the persistent uncertainty.
“I still fear that he will be released, try to reintegrate into his work and social life, and be detained again,” she confessed.
The case of Félix Abreu illustrates the complexities within the U.S. immigration system. Stay updated on asylum, detentions, and deportations in our U.S. Immigration section.
Understanding Asylum and Detention in the U.S.
What are the reasons for Félix Abreu's detention despite being granted asylum?
Abreu remains detained because the federal government has reserved the right to appeal the asylum decision, which keeps his immigration case open.
Why was Félix Abreu initially arrested by CBP?
Félix Abreu was arrested by CBP while traveling to work in the Florida Keys because he did not have a regular immigration status.
How has the detention of Cuban migrants in the U.S. changed recently?
The detention of Cuban migrants by ICE has increased dramatically by 463% from October 2024 to early 2026, rising from under 200 to more than 1,000 per month.