Leidys Barrabí, a 25-year-old Cuban mother who has established her own beauty business in Miami, once again took to Instagram this week to share a video that went viral back in June, drawing attention to her case from her salon, Heaven's SPA BY Leidys.
The original video, where Barrabí, her voice trembling, announced she had received a deportation order, became a prominent testimony of the ongoing migration crisis affecting Cubans with the I-220A form. In that recording, she summed up her predicament with a statement that resonated with thousands of followers: "I am a 25-year-old Cuban mother who arrived in this country four years ago, full of dreams and determination to succeed. Today, after years of sacrifice, building my business from scratch, establishing a successful salon here in Miami, and creating a stable life for my daughter and my family, I received this news."
Barrabí's journey to the United States began in Nicaragua in 2022, a trip that left her with over $10,000 in debt and, in her own words, "a backpack full of dreams." She started by working in another salon, rented a small space, set up a home studio, and ultimately opened her own business.
Challenges of the Cuban Migration Situation
Leidys's case is emblematic of the complex immigration issues faced by Cubans in the United States. For ongoing updates, visit our Immigration in the U.S. section.
"I worked more than 14 hours a day for years, with no weekends, no vacations, and no social life, because I had a very clear goal: to save enough money to fulfill the dream of opening my own beauty salon," she shared in a July post.
Upon entering the country, like many Cubans at the time, she was issued an I-220A form—a supervised release order by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—which does not equate to parole or formal admission, preventing automatic eligibility for the Cuban Adjustment Act. Her husband, also holding an I-220A, shares a similar legal situation. Additionally, Barrabí's mother has received a deportation order as well.
The order would send her to Ecuador, a country she claims to have no ties to. Since November 2025, Ecuador has served as a deportation destination for Cubans under a cooperation agreement with the U.S. government, as Cuba refuses to accept those who have been out of the country since before 2017.
Legal Hurdles and Uncertain Future
Her case is currently on appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) after an initial appeal was denied in September. The appeal itself does not automatically suspend deportation, leaving Barrabí in a state of continuous uncertainty while she continues to run her business.
The situation is not unique: ICE arrests of Cubans surged by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026, with over 42,000 Cubans holding active deportation orders in the United States. In the first five months of this year alone, 612 were deported in 18 separate operations.
Despite everything, Barrabí maintains a hopeful tone in her posts, urging her followers for messages of encouragement. "I continue to believe that God is in control of my life and I will keep fighting harder than ever. Because there is something bigger than my fears: the desire to move forward and build a better future for my daughter and my family," she stated in the video that resurfaced this week.
Immigration courts in Miami have expedited hearings originally scheduled for 2028 and 2029, significantly reducing the preparation time for cases like Barrabí's, leaving her future in the country she chose to raise her daughter unresolved.
Understanding the Cuban Immigration Crisis
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A form is a supervised release order issued by ICE, which is not equivalent to parole or formal admission, affecting eligibility for the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Why is Ecuador used as a deportation destination for Cubans?
Since November 2025, Ecuador has served as a deportation destination for Cubans under a cooperation agreement with the U.S., as Cuba refuses to accept those who have been out of the country since before 2017.
How have ICE operations affected Cuban immigrants recently?
ICE arrests of Cubans have increased by 463% from October 2024 to January 2026, with over 42,000 Cubans subject to active deportation orders in the U.S.