José Daniel Ferrer Raises Concerns Over Daughter's Potential Deportation to Cuba

José Daniel Ferrer, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), has expressed his deep concern for his seven-year-old daughter, Daniela Patricia, in an interview with CiberCuba. Daniela recently appeared before a U.S. asylum court and must return due to the judge's skepticism, which failed to consider her as the daughter of a prominent opposition leader against the Cuban dictatorship. "If my daughter Daniela Patricia is deported to Cuba and I am imprisoned again, she would be left without a father and a mother," Ferrer stated to CiberCuba.

Ferrer was released from prison on January 16th, following an alleged agreement between the Díaz-Canel regime and the Catholic Church to free 553 prisoners under the pretext of the 2025 Jubilee. However, the releases were halted and ultimately disappointed when the Trump Administration reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, after Biden had previously removed it before leaving office on January 14th.

Ferrer is acutely aware of the constant threat of re-imprisonment, which intensifies his concern over his daughter Daniela Patricia's asylum case. With her mother residing in the U.S. and Ferrer facing potential incarceration, the young girl would be left alone in Cuba, far from her parents. "The situation of my young daughter, Daniela Patricia Ferrer Reyes, is extremely delicate and concerning for me. Although I wish nothing more than to have my family close, the well-being of my children is my utmost priority," Ferrer explained to CiberCuba.

The Cuban opposition leader recounted the traumatic experiences his daughter has endured due to being his child. "When she was very young, she witnessed the Interior Ministry's special forces breaking down our door and aiming shotguns at my head. My greatest fear is that if she is deported to Cuba and I am imprisoned again, she will be left without both parents, with her mother in the U.S. and me in prison," Ferrer added.

"For political prisoners like us, who maintain a firm stance for Cuba's democratization, our families suffer as much as we do. The regime's attacks on families are relentless, aiming to break us by causing pain and suffering to our loved ones," Ferrer explained, highlighting why his daughter is a victim of the Castro regime. He emphasized his concerns, stating, "The just and right decision is for Daniela Patricia to stay with her loving and caring mother in the United States, a land of freedom."

Ferrer insisted that in the U.S., Daniela's mother won't be threatened by the police or special forces because of political differences. "I hope justice prevails, allowing my daughter to continue living legally in the United States," he concluded, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all Cubans who have shown concern for his daughter's case.

Daniela Patricia Ferrer Reyes, the seven-year-old daughter of José Daniel Ferrer, finds herself in an immigration limbo in the United States. She must present her political asylum case to the court before November. After crossing into the U.S. in 2022, she received an I-220A document and now faces the threat of deportation to Cuba, where her father is persistently harassed by State Security.