Seven-year-old Daniela Patricia Ferrer Reyes, daughter of José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba and former political prisoner, is caught in a migration limbo in the United States. By November, she must present a political asylum case in court. After entering the U.S. through the border in 2022, she received an I-220A document, a "Order of Supervision" given to immigrants awaiting the outcome of their immigration cases. Now, she faces the threat of deportation back to Cuba, where her father is continuously harassed by state security.
Liettys Rachel Reyes, Daniela's mother and an activist with UNPACU, shared with journalist Carla Gloria Colomé for El País that the young girl appeared before the Dallas (Texas) Immigration Court on March 31. During the hearing, the judge requested an explanation as to why the child crossed the border and why she left Cuba. "I was barely allowed to speak, interrupted about six times," Liettys recounted. "If the judge was stern, the translator was even more so, telling me, 'Ma'am, please speak slower, I don't understand you, you need to be concise and precise.' They were tough on me. I can't describe how I felt being questioned so extensively without being able to explain everything Daniela went through in Cuba."
Despite the judge insisting that the child remains illegally in the U.S. and must choose a "deportable country," Liettys refused: "I do not agree with my daughter being deported to any country because she is a child," she stated, recalling the harassment they faced in Cuba due to their relation to José Daniel Ferrer.
The authorities have given the young girl until November to gather evidence, file for political asylum, and return to court with legal representation. However, at the age of seven, Daniela "can't defend herself in an asylum case in court," said Reyes, who is appealing to the international community to find an attorney for her daughter.
In a video shared on social media, José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU, called for assistance to resolve his daughter's case. "My beloved daughter, Daniela Patricia Ferrer Reyes, had no choice but to leave with her aunt to reunite with her mother, my former partner, fellow activist, and friend Liettys Rachel Reyes. I was imprisoned. The child was a victim of harassment against the entire family, and her mother was far away. The only option was to take her to the United States," Ferrer commented on Facebook.
Daniela left Cuba with Liettys' sister, Lianay Reyes Tur, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time. The parents are deeply concerned about the possibility of their daughter being deported back to Cuba, where she would face "constant threats and repression in school by her own teachers."
Understanding Asylum Challenges for Cuban Activists in the U.S.
What legal document was issued to Daniela Patricia Ferrer Reyes in the U.S.?
Daniela was issued an I-220A, known as an "Order of Supervision," which is given to immigrants while they await a decision on their immigration case.
Why is Daniela's family concerned about her being deported to Cuba?
The family fears that if Daniela is deported to Cuba, she will face continuous threats and repression, particularly in her school environment, due to her father's political activism.
What steps must be taken before Daniela's next court appearance?
Daniela's family needs to gather evidence, present a political asylum case, and secure a lawyer to represent her at the next court appearance scheduled before November.